Converting xls to csv using VBScript and separate by semicolons - csv

Question

I have a VBScript code snippet which converts my xls and xlsx files into csv files. However, I want each cell to be separated by a semicolon rather than a comma. On my computer, the list separator is set to semicolon instead of comma so when I open up an excel window and do save as csv, it separates by semicolon. However, my VBScript produces a csv file separated by commas. I found the code snippet online as I do not really know VBScript (I'm mainly a Java Programmer) that well. How can I change the code snippet to separate the csv files by semicolon rather than by comma?
if WScript.Arguments.Count < 2 Then
WScript.Echo "Error! Please specify the source path and the destination. Usage: XlsToCsv SourcePath.xls Destination.csv"
Wscript.Quit
End If
Dim oExcel
Set oExcel = CreateObject("Excel.Application")
Dim oBook
Set oBook = oExcel.Workbooks.Open(Wscript.Arguments.Item(0))
oBook.SaveAs WScript.Arguments.Item(1), 6
oBook.Close False
oExcel.Quit
WScript.Echo "Done"

Answer 1

you can keep your original script, only need to give a parameter to indicate local setting must apply. This saves my CSV with a ; separator
if WScript.Arguments.Count < 2 Then
WScript.Echo "Error! Please specify the source path and the destination. Usage: XlsToCsv SourcePath.xls Destination.csv"
Wscript.Quit
End If
Dim oExcel
Set oExcel = CreateObject("Excel.Application")
oExcel.DisplayAlerts = FALSE 'to avoid prompts
Dim oBook, local
Set oBook = oExcel.Workbooks.Open(Wscript.Arguments.Item(0))
local = true
call oBook.SaveAs(WScript.Arguments.Item(1), 6, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, local) 'this changed
oBook.Close False
oExcel.Quit
WScript.Echo "Done"

Answer 2

The use of a comma in delimited text files finds its roots in the regional settings. While the comma is standard in the US, other countries such as Germany use the semicolon instead. You can change the List Separator value in the Regional and Language settings and then choose CSV (Comma delimited) (.csv) from Excel's Save As window. The resulting file will be delimited by whatever value is in the system settings. This script changes default List Separator setting. Then it opens the specified spreadsheet and resaves it. It reverts the system setting to its previous value before finishing.
It accepts two command line parameters. The first is the input spreadsheet; the second is the output filename for the exported file.
strDelimiter = ";"
strSystemDelimiter = "" ' This will be used to store the current sytem value
Const HKEY_CURRENT_USER = &H80000001
' Get the current List Separator (Regional Settings) from the registry
strKeyPath = "Control Panel\International"
strValueName = "sList"
strComputer = "."
Set objRegistry = GetObject("winmgmts:\\" & strComputer & "\root\default:StdRegProv")
objRegistry.GetStringValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER, strKeyPath, strValueName, strSystemDelimiter
' Set it temporarily to our custom delimiter
objRegistry.SetStringValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER, strKeyPath, strValueName, strDelimiter
' Open spreadsheet with Excel and save it in a text delimited format
Const xlCSV = 6
Set objExcel = CreateObject("Excel.Application")
Set objWorkbook = objExcel.Workbooks.Open(WScript.Arguments.Item(0))
objWorkbook.SaveAs WScript.Arguments.Item(1), xlCSV
objWorkbook.Close vbFalse ' Prevent duplicate Save dialog
objExcel.Quit
' Reset the system setting to its original value
objRegistry.SetStringValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER, strKeyPath, strValueName, strSystemDelimiter
After some testing, it seems that this only works through Excel's Save As dialog and not through command-line or automation. I've changed the script a little to make the Excel window visible and use shortcuts keys to open the Save As dialog through the Excel interface. This should do the trick. It worked for me on Vista x64 with Excel 2007. I hope this works for you.
strDelimiter = ";"
strSystemDelimiter = "" ' This will be used to store the current sytem value
Const HKEY_CURRENT_USER = &H80000001
' Get the current List Separator (Regional Settings) from the registry
strKeyPath = "Control Panel\International"
strValueName = "sList"
strComputer = "."
Set objRegistry = GetObject("winmgmts:\\" & strComputer & "\root\default:StdRegProv")
objRegistry.GetStringValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER, strKeyPath, strValueName, strSystemDelimiter
' Set it temporarily to our custom delimiter
objRegistry.SetStringValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER, strKeyPath, strValueName, strDelimiter
' Open spreadsheet with Excel and save it in a text delimited format
Const xlCSV = 6
Set objExcel = CreateObject("Excel.Application")
objExcel.Visible = vbTrue
Set objWorkbook = objExcel.Workbooks.Open(WScript.Arguments.Item(0))
WScript.Sleep 500 ' Delay to make sure the Excel workbook is open
strWorkbookName = objExcel.ActiveWorkbook.Name
strTitlebar = strWorkbookName
Set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
WshShell.AppActivate strTitlebar ' Make the workbook active so it receives the keystrokes
WshShell.SendKeys "%fa" ' Keyboard shortcuts for the Save As dialog
WScript.Sleep 500
WshShell.SendKeys "%tc{ENTER}" ' Change the Save As type to CSV
If WScript.Arguments.Count > 1 Then
WshShell.SendKeys "+{TAB}" & WScript.Arguments.Item(1)
WScript.Sleep 500
End If ' This If block changes the save name if one was provided
WshShell.SendKeys "{ENTER}" ' Save the file
WScript.Sleep 500
WshShell.SendKeys "{ENTER}" ' Dismiss the CSV warning dialog
Set WshShell = Nothing
objWorkbook.Close vbFalse ' Prevent duplicate Save dialog
objExcel.Quit
' Reset the system setting to its original value
objRegistry.SetStringValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER, strKeyPath, strValueName, strSystemDelimiter

Answer 3

The Function SaveAs is defined so :
.SaveAs(FileName, FileFormat, Password, WriteResPassword, ReadOnlyRecommended, CreateBackup, AccessMode, ConflictResolution, AddToMru, TextCodepage, TextVisualLayout, Local)
Thas is, to use the semicolon (if your regional language option are correctly set)
ExcelObj.Workbooks(1).SaveAs csvFile, 6,,,,,,,,,,True

Answer 4

You can reopen the file with the FSO object, then do a Replace() on the comma character.
Const OpenAsDefault = -2
Const FailIfNotExist = 0
Const ForReading = 1
Const ForWriting = 2
Set oFSO = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
Set fCSVFile = _
oFSO.OpenTextFile("C:\path\file.csv", ForReading, FailIfNotExist, OpenAsDefault)
sFileContents = fCSVFile.ReadAll
fCSVFile.Close
sFileContents = Replace(sFileContents, ",",";"))
Set fCSVFile = oFSO.OpenTextFile("C:\path\file.csv", ForWriting, True)
fCSVFile.Write(sFileContents)
fCSVFile.Close

Answer 5

I changed the parameter to true, and worked for me.
if WScript.Arguments.Count < 2 Then
WScript.Echo "Erro! Especifique origem e destino. Exemplo: XlsToCsv SourcePath.xls Destination.csv"
Wscript.Quit
End If
Dim oExcel
Set oExcel = CreateObject("Excel.Application")
Dim oBook
Set oBook = oExcel.Workbooks.Open(Wscript.Arguments.Item(0))
call oBook.SaveAs(WScript.Arguments.Item(1), 6, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, true) --CHANGED
oBook.Close False
oExcel.Quit