Batch and Excel please

L

Ldogg

Active member
would somebody mind posting some explicit steps on how to create a successful batch list in Microsoft excel?

I got to the part where you export the template from fcp (5) to excel..but then it opens as "tab delimited" which has a bunch of options that I don't understand but say yes to anyways...which i think is correct. This particular "general" vs. "text" option seems particularly suspect...

Then,once it opens as a template, I try to create a new clip name and give it a test "in", "out" and comment. I then try to save it (as text. (tab delimited))which is where it gets real confusing. My excel program tells me that some parts (assumedly the parts that I added) are not tab delimited combatible and that although I may save it like that..the parts will not be saved with it.

Then of course when I try to bring it back into FCP (5) it says error or only brings in old items as in copied items from the original template (no new stuff).

Any help, would greatly be appreciated as editing 300+ hours of footage is much more fun on a couch than a desk! Thanks
 
I've pulled my hair out over this same issue a couple times. Here's what I've learned:
First, arrange the categories in FCP the way you want them. For example, I move the in and out points to be second and third (after the name), then scene and take, then I don't really care after that.
Second, export the batch list from FCP.
Third, open it in Excel and enter the shot info.
Fourth - in Excel, delete all unused fields. In my case, I use the first 5 columns, and delete the rest. If you don't delete them and they are empty, FCP will not import the batch list (you could delete them in step one inside FCP, but it's a heckuva lot easier to do it in Excel). I got this hint from someone on the Apple forums, and it saved me from going bald.
Fifth, save as tab-deliminated. This is tough with newer versions of Excel, as it tries to get you to save it as an Excel document. Just read all the messages and choose appropriately.
Sixth, import into FCP. It should work.

Hope that helps.

Jason
 
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