How do you write specific data to an HTML table?

HTML Table into Excel (or Access) - sort of URGENT :)

• I have a program that ONLY creates an HTML table as an output (I have no control over this and cannot reprogram it). The HTML table produces 5 columns, 4 of which are numeric but one of which contains numbers but not with numeric values. These are in the form of 01.210 etc and the zeroes are really rather important! I need to take two of these output tables and compare them in Access, so have tried copy/paste and copy/paste special into Excel as an intermediate stage. Copy/paste retains the column separations but changes all 01.110 type values into 1.11 which is unacceptable. Copy/paste special retains the 01.110 type values but throws everything into one column, which is also useless to me... How do I, without having to write code or buy additional software, copy and paste the data from the table so that in Excel (of in Access if it can be done directly) it retains both the 5 columns and the 01.110 type values? P.S. It looks like this could be done in Access simply by importing the HTML file but it goes through the import process then kicks it out at the final step with the comment that the file isn't in the expected format, which may be a bug in my version of Access but is not one that can be fixed - the company don't allow patches etc.

• Answer:

  Hello Wolvies. The simplest way to import the table into Excel is to open the web page with Internet Explorer, right click on the table and choose "export to Mitcorosft Excel". This does not work 100% of the time, but usually will. So you import it that way or using your own cut and paste method. Now for the problem. To retain the triple decimal place format, select all of the cells necessary in Excel and pull down the "Format" menu at the top and choose "Cells". Click on the "Number" tab and change the "Decimal Places" from 2 to 3 and that should do it! These instructions may vary slightly if you are using a Macintosh or an older version of Excel. I don't have either a Mac or an older version of Excel on hand, but if you have trouble with these directions use the "ask for clarification" feature and I will help you out. I'll be looking on here through the day. Good luck with your task! -shiva777