Exporting and Importing Data

In cases where you don't need the data you are using from another source to be automatically updated if the source data changes, the most expedient way to get the data is to copy and paste it. In cases where you want to copy data from one program to another, you can convert the data to a format that the other program accepts. If you have text you want to include on your worksheet, you can import a text file in a workbook.

Export Excel Data Using Copy and Paste

Select the cell or range that you want to copy.

Click the Copy button on the Standard toolbar.

Open the destination file, or click the program's taskbar button if the program is already open .

Position the pointer where you want the data to be copied .

Click the Paste button on the Standard toolbar.

Click the Paste Options button, and then click the option you want.

See Also

See " Understanding a Data Form " on page 196 for information on entering information in a predesigned form.

Export an Excel File to Another Program Format

Open the file from which you want to export data.

Click the File menu, and then click Save As.

Click the Save As Type list arrow.

Click the file format you want.

Click Save.

Did You Know?

Excel can save a file to a format only with an installed converter . If the format you want to save a file in does not appear in the Save As Type list, you'll need to install it by running Setup from the Microsoft Office 2003 CD.

Import a Text File

Open the workbook in which you want to insert text data.

Click the Data menu, point to Import External Data, and then click Import Data.

Click the Files Of Type list arrow, and then click Text Files.

Click the Look In list arrow, and then select the folder where the text file is located.

Click the text file you want to import.

Click Open.