Sending Data

If the content of a spreadsheet cell is not a command it will be sent to the target application as keystrokes or copied to the target application "as is" using the Windows copy and paste functionality. DataLoad decides whether to use keystrokes or copy/paste based on whether the cell's data starts with a \ (backslash). By default, a backslash causes DataLoad to use keystrokes but this can be changed (so that a backslash means to use copy/paste) in the Options window.

Copy & paste is often the most efficient way to send data to a target application, however not all fields in the target application may be able to accept pasted data and keystrokes must be used in these fields . Drop down lists are an example of a field where keystrokes must normally be used. A useful rule is that if an application doesn't behave as expected when data is sent then keystrokes should instead be used for this data. Cells can easily be converted from data to keystrokes and vice versa using the "Convert To...." menu entry on either the "Edit" menu or the popup menu that appears when you click the right mouse button.

The method used to paste data in the target application can be changed in the DataLoad Options window (Tools->Options).

DataLoad will ignore and skip any cells that are comments. Comment cells are those whose data starts with the Cell Comment Prefix specified in the Options window.