Following a list of common problems when creating the tab delimited text file with the metadata.
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Tab in a cell/ field is not allowed
We have seen a few instances where a cell in the Excel spreadsheet ended with a Tab character. This will lead to an error when you try to import the tab delimited file.
- Open the tab delimited file in Text Wrangler (OS X)
- Select Search > Find
- In the Find box enter : \t"\t
- In the Replace box enter: "\t
- Click Replace All
- Save the file
To avoid this issue remove the Tab character when pulling the metadata from your database.
Example query: SELECT REPLACE(title,CHAR(9),' ') AS title FROM mytable
Carriage return in a cell/ field is not allowed
The free "NetMix Encoder" software and the "NetMix PRO" software will reject tab delimited files, that contain a carriage return (aka line delimiter chr(10) or chr(13) ) in a cell/ field. Carriage returns in cells/ fields are not allowed and they must be removed.
We have seen a few instances where a cell in the Excel spreadsheet contained a Carriage Return. This creates a problem when you export the spreadsheet to a tab delimited file, because the line delimiter for a new row in the tab delimited file is a carriage return, too. This will lead to an error when you try to import the tab delimited file.
Excel with a carriage return in a cell
The resulting, faulty tab delimited text file will look like this (opened in Text Wrangler):
Consult the manual of your software to learn how to remove carriage returns.
In Excel 2011 Mac a starting point is this formula: =SUBSTITUTE(A1,CHAR(13)," ")
To avoid this issue remove the Return character when pulling the metadata from your database.
Example query: SELECT REPLACE(REPLACE(title,CHAR(13),''),CHAR(10),'') AS title FROM mytable
Column header name must not contain space character(s)
The name must not contain a space. Our Excel template lists the correct column header names. Column header names are stored in the first row of the tab delimited text file.
Correct: Music_Styles
Wrong: Music Styles
Column header name does not follow the specification
When adding additional Composer or Publisher fields use the same name and simply change the number. Our Excel template lists the correct column header names.
Note: The "Open-XML Encoder" will allow any column header name in the tab delimited text file. The Encoder does not catch spelling mistakes e.g. It is absolutely important that your column header names are 100% correct. Incorrect column headers are not read by the Music Tracker or the NetMix system.
Note: The "NetMix PRO" software on the other hand will catch incorrect column header names when importing data from a tab delimited text file.
Correct: Composer9
Wrong (contains space): Composer 9
Correct: ComposerAffiliation9
Wrong(misspelled): ComposerAfiliation9
Wrong(contains space): Composer Affiliation 9
Wrong(does not follow spec): ComposerAffiliation09
Correct: PublisherSharePerc6
Wrong(does not follow spec): PublisherShare6
Second line from .xls template is included in text file
The second line in the Production music template .xls contains information what column is optional, recommended and required. This line must not be present in a tab delimited text file used with the free "NetMix Encoder" software.
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