I can't get the import tool to work going from ebird to birders diary. I do not have excell, and wonder if this is the problem. When I try to convert ebird export file to birders diary import format using the tool, I get an error "Unhandled eception....Cannot create ActiveX component" and the conversion fails. Any ideas?

Hi,

If you are using a 64-bit version of Windows, the eBird conversion will not work. That sounds like the problem you are reporting. We are working on a version of the toolkit that works on 64-bit versions.

Let me know if you are not on 64-bits.

Jeff

I'm using a 32-bit version of Windows. No problems converting from BD to eBird.

Hi Mark,

Hmmm. What version of Windows are you running? e.g. XP, Vista, 7? Are you on a MAC?

A couple things please so that we can fix this:

1. Please walk us through the exact steps you are taking to get this error; including the last action you take before the error.
2. Can you please ZIP and attach your eBird export file that you are trying to import? Use the attachment section below. The quick reply option does not allow attachments.

thanks,

Jeff

Operating system is Windows Vista 32-bit.

In eBird, I "download (xls)" from the observation report I want to import to BD. The file saves in downloads folder, but does not show up as an .xls file, so I  rename it with a .xls extension. If I don't do this BD2eBird tool will not find the file. This may be where I'm having my problem.

I start BD2eBird and select "Create Birder's Diary import file". >select observer>select file for conversion that i just downloaded & added .xls extension>Do!

Then I get "unhandled exception occurred in application.....Cannot create ActiveX component:

************** Exception Text **************
System.Exception: Cannot create ActiveX component.
   at Microsoft.VisualBasic.Interaction.CreateObject(String ProgId, String ServerName)
   at BD2EB.eBird2BD.Button2_Click(Object sender, EventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.OnClick(EventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Button.OnClick(EventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Button.OnMouseUp(MouseEventArgs mevent)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmMouseUp(Message& m, MouseButtons button, Int32 clicks)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.ButtonBase.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Button.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)

Hi Mark,

Thanks for providing all the details. The file(s) you attached are not XLS files. In section 3.3 of the eBird toolkit user guide, it mentions that you should click on "Download (xls)". Is that option available? Does it state that exactly? Is that exactly what you chose? If yes, then perhaps eBird has changed.

The toolkit is aborting in an unfriendly manner, but the file it is expecting is not in the correct format. XLS is the file extension for a Microsoft Excel file, and the file you uploaded is just a plain text file. Make sure you are selecting the correct "Download" option from the eBird site and get back to us please.

Thanks,
Jeff

Absence of MS Excel is the most likely issue of the issue. Since the toolkit relies on several standard MS components. I shall see if it is a single DLL of multiple DLLs that are required and will make those available one way or another.

Gerco

 

Thanks Gerco,

I thought in the beginning that this might be the problem. I have also had issues with not being able to read .rtf files exported from BD because I did not have Word (& that is still an issue).

Hi Gerco,

I can't find a download for a microsoft excel object library. It doesn't seem to be a file as such. Is it a .exe file that inslalls the object library? Is it a system file? I'm really not sure what to do.

Thanks for your help in this.

Mark

Thanks again, but hopefully one last question.

What location/folder do I extract the files to. The instructions do not indicate this. Hopefully this will work so I don't have to get MS Office for this PC.

Mark.

Mark,

Here are the installation instructions: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa163987(office.10).aspx#odc_oxppias_topic4. read the topics Installing the Office XP PIAs and the one below. Hopefully this does this trick.

Gerco

Wow this has gotten complicated. The instructions say I must have MS Office XP & Microsoft Visual Studio .NET installed...I don't? I am begining to think maybe I shouild simply find an old copy of MS Office rather than trying to install things I am unfamiliar/uncomfortable with. I have OpenOffice on this PC...too bad it isn't compatible with BD in this matter. Something for the wish list?

I guess the problem could also be with the eBird xls download? I stll don't understand why the files it downloads to my PC seem to lose thier xls extension. I don't think its possible to download these files incorrectly as there is only one button to select. Maybe I should get with eBird about this.

This is not an end-of-the-world problem for me. I have a work around by importing from BD to eBird. I don't want to spend too much of my or your time on this.

Thanks,

Mark

Ok.

BTW the eBird xls file were donloaded using FireFox. Maybe its a setting?

Thanks again,

Mark