Speaking of Unintelligent People...I need directions for an idiot...

[mishquilt]

Please have sympathy for me.
I am about to throw MasterCook 9.0 out the window.
I am failing in every attempt to import/export recipes to "My Cookbook."
I get to the step where I locate my recipe (usually it's one I've saved as a Word document), but when I click on it and try to paste, it either saves the very first recipe I saved--every time (and I've only done this once successfully), or it does nothing at all. I like the program but I must say it's lacking (for those who are not computer savvy (ME)) a good set of directions. I wish it came with a manual or something. I am simply trying to organize all of my saved recipes into one location ("My Cookbook"). Is there a way to send recipes from this site directly to My Cookbook?
If you can offer any assistance, I would really appreciate it.
This is why I continue to cook/bake and I don't enjoy computer games.

Mishquilt

[lindrusso]

A suggestion...........If you edit your post and put "Mastercook" in the title, you might get more responses. PamN is our resident expert on MC and she will respond to your question, but she might not open this thread since your title is a bit vague......

[bobmark226]

A suggestion...........If you edit your post and put "Mastercook" in the title, you might get more responses. PamN is our resident expert on MC and she will respond to your question, but she might not open this thread since your title is a bit vague......

And while you're at it, PLEASE take that ' after "Its" in your signature, because it's been making me crazy. :)

Bob

[PamN]

How are you trying to import your recipes? If you want to import from Word directly into MC, the simplest way is to paste a single recipe into Import Assistant. Highlight the first part of the recipe, the title. From the bottom of the IA window, choose Title from the dropdown list and click the button "Move to Recipe." Then highlight all of the ingredients you pasted in. From the dropdown box, choose Ingredients, and click Move to Recipe. Continue with each field. When you're finished with that recipe, click the Done button and paste another recipe in.

Import Assistant can also autofill many (but not all) of the fields for you. PamE has a tutorial on that
process here (http://mc6help.tripod.com/ImportAssistant.htm)

If you would like to import the recipes in bulk -- many at once, you can use the generic or 5@ method, but you will not be able to fill in the specialized fields in MC (Author, Source, Yield, etc.). To use this method, open the document in Word, then use File > Save AS to save the file as type Text Only (*.TXT). Then you need to edit the file into a format that MC can recognize. MC can import all the recipes in a single file at one time once this is done.

Basically, the generic format looks like this:

@@@@@
Recipe Title

1 cup this
1 cup that

Directions go here. (You can include the author, source, etc., information in the directions.)


The 5 @ symbols tell the program when a new recipe is beginning. The single blank lines between recipe parts (must be ABSOLUTELY blank - no nonprinting characters like spaces) tell the program when a new recipe section begins. This is how the program knows where to import these recipe parts into your cookbook.

Arrange all of your recipes in this format, inserting another blank line between each recipe, and save them in a plain text file (*.txt). When you select Import from the File menu and direct it to your TXT file, MC will import all the recipes in the file into the selected cookbook.

It's a good idea to create a new cookbook for imports and test the cookbook before moving the recipes to a home book. That way, if there's a problem, you don't risk your permanent cookbooks.

ETA: The Help file within the program has more information than you would find in a printed manual. Plus, it is searchable and interactive. Press F1 from any part of the program and Help will open already focussed on the appropriate section for what you're doing.

More help in PamE's tutorials here (http://mc6help.tripod.com/) and many tips and tricks in the faq here (http://mastercook_cupboard.tripod.com/)

[mishquilt]

I didn't realize the recipe had to be broken up into sections. Now I understand what you mean about copying/pasting the title in the title section and the ingredients in their own format.
I will play around with it according to your directions.
Thanks for responding.

and Bob, wouldn't want to make you crazy. I'll see what I can do about that punctuation.


Mishquilt

[testkitchen45]

Mishquilt, you're no idiot. I've had my share of MasterCook problems, too; thank goodness for PamN!!! It's a very helpful program but I've had times when I wanted to toss my laptop down the disposal. (Now that's a mature-adult approach! :D ) Just wanted to say you're not alone--but keep at it, b/c it really is a cool program.