Problem using .csv files to geocode addresses in ArcGIS 9.

[JanelleHippe]

Hello,

I've been having this problem for some time now when geocoding addresses in ArcGIS 9.  I click on the Geocode Addresses and the window comes up that asks me to "Input Table," "Input Address Locator," etc.  In the "Input Table" field, sometimes it gives me an error message when I try to use a .csv file and sometimes it does not.  I cannot figure out or have not been able to notice anything different about the .csv files it accepts as tables and the .csv files it will not accept as tables.  In fact, sometimes it seems to accept a table it did not accept at another time.  If anyone can help me out with this - i.e. - if anyone knows why I get an error sometimes when using a .csv file as my table and sometimes I do not - I would be most appreciative!

Thanks!
Janelle

[ScottBlankenbeckler]

One of the first things you should look for is how your fields are named. Although Excel will allow you to put anything in the first row, ArcMap does not. If you have any special characters or spaces in your field headers ArcMap will not read it.  Also look for spaces at the beginning and end of your field headers.

Can you submit a screenshot of a csv that does not load. We may be able to point out where the error is occuring.

[JanelleHippe]

I can't send a screenshot of the data as it's part of ethically protected research.  However - I may have answered my own question.   I just tried two ways of making a csv file - changing the extension and "saving it as" - it won't load if I change the extension to .csv, but it will load if I "save as" .csv.   Does this make sense?

Janelle