T&T: Coastal Explorer question

[Bob McLeran]

Rich, I used to attempt to write spreadsheet programs for roughly the 
same purpose (actually, use the spreadsheet as a database and extract 
data in the format you wish), and with the help of Capn Wil Andrews I 
was fairly successful at converting lat/lon waypoints into course and 
distance info that would be usable. I never tried to come up with a 
report that could be converted into a format usable by a chart plotter 
and then to an uploadable file, but it shouldn't be too difficult if you 
know what formats are acceptable for input into your chart plotter. 
There are a couple of standard formats, as I recall.

The big issue would be to get the spreadsheet data (presumablely you're 
using waypoint lat/lon info) into a format that can be manipulated - 
breaking down the degrees, minutes, and seconds and then 
"reconstituting" them into the format accepted by the GPS. There are 
undoubtedly web sites that would help with this process.

Once you know the format, it should be a piece of cake write the 
spreadsheet formulas to put it into the format you'll need for the chart 
plotter, and then into the type of file you'd be able to upload.

OTOH, unless you have a heck of a lot of spreadsheet data, it may be 
faster (but not as intellectually stimulating) to just enter them 
manually! :-{)

<><><><><><><><><><><><>Mozilla Thunderbird<><><><><><><><><><>
Bob McLeran and Judy Young                  Manatee Cove Marina
MV Sanderling                               Patrick Air Force Base
DeFever 41 Trawler                          Melbourne, Florida 



On 12/30/2008 3:09 PM, Rich Gano wrote:
> I have a ton of fishing reef spots off the coast in an Excel file.  Has
> anybody ever found a way to convert Excel info into something CE can handle
> for import?  I'd sure hate to have to type all these spots into CE marks.
>
> Rich Gano
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