Overview - Using Cars+ Reports to Export Data to a Spreadsheet

Many CARS+ reports programs are capable of exporting data to a file in Comma Separated Value (CSV) format. These files will be automatically transferred to the user's PC and from there, can be opened in a spreadsheet program such as Excel or OpenOffice/Libre Office Calc.

Requesting CSV Output

Most CARS+ programs will allow CSV output to be requested in one of two ways:

Method 1 : There will be a field labeled "Print/Display/CSV". In this field, select "C" to create a CSV file to be sent to the local PC. In order to get the CSV file, the CARS+ Report Printer must be set to a value that causes the output to be opened or saved as a file. For most users, the value of CSV will work for this purpose. Please refer to the chapter for Edit Terminal Records or Change User Environment for more information on setting up printing to a file and/or opening a file in the default program for that file.

Method 2: There will be a field for "Create CSV File" that is separate from the Print/Display field. In most cases the CSV file cannot be created unless the report is also printed ("P" is selected at the "Print/Display" field). This typically is done for audit trail purposes to ensure there is a printed report that matches the data in the CSV file. Please refer to the manual chapter for specific instructions.

There are a few programs which, for various reasons, do not transfer the CSV file to the local PC, but instead write the CSV file to the CARS+ server. The file will then need to be retrieved by some other method that must be set up by Thermeon support personnel. The manual chapter for these programs will contain specific instructions.

Where are the CSV Files Stored on My Computer?

Any report or other data (Rental Agreement, Statement, etc.) that is transferred to the user's PC and optionally opened by a program on the PC (PDF reader, Spreadsheet program, Text Editor) will be placed in the directory:

C:\CARS+tmp (On the drive "C:", in a folder named "CARS+tmp")

This folder can be accessed using the Windows file explorer or accessed directly via an icon in the Thermeon program group.

Viewing the CSV File in a Spreadsheet Program

There are two general methods that can be used to view the CSV file in a spreadsheet:

Start the spreadsheet program and then, from a new, blank worksheet, use that program's import utility to open the CSV file. For example, this would be done in Excel by clicking on the menu items: Data > Get External Data > Import Text File... This will open an Import Wizard that will ask you how the data is delimited (choose "comma") and allow you to override the default data type for each column.
Double-click on the CSV file and have it open automatically in the preferred spreadsheet program. If the user's PC does not have a default program set for opening CSV files, the user will be prompted to specify which program to use. Select the desired spreadsheet program and tic the box for "always use this program for this file type". If the CSV files automatically open in the wrong program, use the Windows Control Panel and select "Default Programs" to change the default setting for the CSV file type.

Example Reports

Below is an example of how the Vehicle Status Report looks when imported into Excel:

Example Spreadsheet

Partial List of Programs That Produce CSV Output

Note: The CSV export option is continually being added to both existing and new CARS+ programs. If you you do not have one of the programs below or cannot find the CSV option in one of these programs, please contact Thermeon Customer Support. Thermeon CS may need to add the program to your menu or schedule a CARS+ release upgrade for your server.

Accrual Report

AR Distribution To GL Report

Average Utilization Report

Batch Ticket Processing Report

Bundled Options Report

Customer Address Output

Daily Performance Report

Damage Waiver Options Report