Choose a file format
Choose Excel for people and spreadsheets, CSV as the safe default for other software, delimited text when an import wants tab or pipe, and XML for systems that consume XML; the columns are the same in each.
Every template has an output format. Pick the one the receiving system or person expects; the columns and content are the same in each.
| Format | Extension | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Excel | .xlsx | Opens directly in Excel, Numbers and Google Sheets. Dates and numbers are typed, so they sort and calculate correctly. Best for people. |
| CSV | .csv | Comma-separated text with a header row. The universal import format for other software. |
| Delimited text | .txt (or a custom extension) | Like CSV but with the delimiter you choose: tab, semicolon, pipe or a custom character. Warehouse and ERP imports often want tab or pipe. |
| XML | .xml | Element-based output for systems that consume XML. Each field becomes an element; support can map custom element names and structure. |
Which export format to choose
Section titled “Which export format to choose”- Sending to a person or opening in a spreadsheet: Excel.
- Importing into other software: whatever that software’s import expects. CSV is the safe default; check whether it wants a specific delimiter, a header row, or quoted values.
- A fixed-format feed to a warehouse, 3PL or ERP: usually delimited text or XML to their specification. Ask them for a sample file and send it to support if the layout needs rules the builder does not have.
Format options: delimiter, file name, header row, quoting, encoding
Section titled “Format options: delimiter, file name, header row, quoting, encoding”- Delimiter (CSV and delimited text): comma, tab, semicolon, pipe or custom.
- File name pattern: the file’s name, with optional date and time variables. You can give delimited text a custom extension here, for example
.tsvor.dat. - Skip header row: leave out the column names when the receiving system does not want them.
- CSV Options: Force quote all fields wraps every value in double quotes; Strip double quotes removes quotes from inside values. Use them when an import is strict about quoting.
- Encoding: files are UTF-8. If accented or non-Latin characters look wrong when opened, the problem is almost always the program opening the file. See Characters look wrong in Excel.
XML export
Section titled “XML export”XML output is available in the template builder for every plan. Templates that need particular element names, wrappers or nesting to match a partner’s schema are built by support: send a sample XML file showing the structure you need and we will map it. See Support-managed templates.