Use list delimiter character from Windows configuration when exporting to CSV

[StefanM]

Hi,

Feature request: when exporting to CSV please use the list delimiter character configured in Windows language/regional settings (PL/SQL-Dev. version 7.1.1.1339).

Why is "export to Excel" not supported when changing the data grid to single record view?

Thanks,
Stefan

 

[Worker]

The CSV format is defined by RFC4180 (http://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc4180.txt), which states that only a comma (0x2C) can be used.

Other formats may be possible using other delimiters, but they wouldn't be CSV...

 

[StefanM]

as the name implies this is a "comma" separated file formal. BUT in real life, especially in countries where you have a comma as decimal point character the CSV file format using a comma as a delimiter is of little use. Either you have to change the delimter (which is what Excel does) or you have to change the decimal point character.

So let me reformulate my feature request:
- provide options to specify the delimiter character for CSV export
option 1: specify character (some people may also prefer other delimiters than "," or ";")
option 2: derive from regional language settings
option 1 with "," should be the default so that it is compatible with CSV-RFC. Those who want to use other characters at least have the choice.

Thanks,
Stefan

 

[Marco Kalter]

We'll consider using the List Separator from the Windows Regional Settings.

 

[Worker]

especially in countries where you have a comma as decimal point character the CSV file format using a comma as a delimiter is of little use

What's wrong with:

Widget A,"EUR 12,95"
Widget B,"EUR 22,95"

Just because a comma is the delimiter doesn't mean you can't use the comma in any of the values. The CSV file format deals with this using double quotes (and subsequently has ways of dealing with double quotes in values).

Not trying to pick a fight I just never heard of CSV using something other than commas. Now I'm curious; I'll have to investigate Excel.

EDIT: Looks like people have been talking about Excel\'s CSV behavior for a while.

 

[rbrooker]

there is also a plugin that may solve your problems, "User-defined Text Export". this allows you to choose the delimiter amongst some other options.

give that a go.

 

[StefanM]

Hi,

thanks for including my feature request in the new release. However for those requiring CSV files with commas even when the regional language settings specifiy something else (e.g. ";" in germany) you should also provide an option in preferences under "Files->Format" to either specify a list delimiter character or derive it from the regional settings.

Anyway live is a bit easier for me now.

Thanks again,
Stefan