I just got multiple .csv files so I can email the list for a survey,
but before doing so, I have some questions:

- I have to sort the list by geography, but I got a text file instead
of an Excel file.  Can I convert it to an Excel file to sort, or is
there a way to sort the text file?

- What is the easiest way to merge/purge mutliple lists reliably?

I'm comfortable with computers, but need detailed instructions
whenever I do something for the first time.  Thus, I need a
step-by-step answer and possible follow-up to make sure I got it
right.  Thanks!

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Request for Question Clarification by aht-ga on 26 Jan 2004 21:23 PST

reach-ga:

CSV files are text files containing comma-separated values (hence, the
initials CSV). Excel can import these files using its Text Import
Wizard.

If this matches your situation and needs, please let me know and I can
help walk you through the process.

Regards,

aht-ga
Google Answers Researcher

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Request for Question Clarification by maniac-ga on 27 Jan 2004 05:03 PST

Hello Reach,

Two additional points to consider:
 - will you be doing this once or many times? In the latter case,
building a macro that handles the steps would be better than a
walkthrough.
 - what do you mean by "merge/purge"? For example, do you have
duplicate lines to be removed or duplicate field values? To
illustrate:
  duplicate lines:
  XX YY ZZ
  XX YY ZZ
and you only want one of them.
  XX AA BB
  XX DD EE
and only XX is duplicated. Suppressing duplicates in the latter case
is a little more complex.

If you can paste an example of your data (say 2-3 files, 5-10 lines
each) that would be helpful as well. Be sure to show the result you
expect from the merge / purge.

  --Maniac

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Request for Question Clarification by maniac-ga on 29 Jan 2004 16:55 PST

Hello Reach,

Are you still interested in an answer to this question? The answer can
be quite straight forward if you provide a little additional
information.

  --Maniac

One way to merge and sort CSV data would be to read the individual CSV
files into Access then use a query to merge them together into a final
table. Having done this, the final table can be exported in various
formats.

What are the fields in your CSV file? Are they fixed-width or
variable-width? You will need to give a little more info to get this
one sorted out.