Faq XLS-DBF

Email Spreadsheet (xls) and Database (dbf)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Update: January 12, 2018
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) ............................................................................... 1
About XLS and DBF File Formats ............................................................................................................. 2
What computer file formats are available through Random Lengths’ XLS and DBF email service? ............................. 2
Are there any special requirements for receiving Random Lengths’ email reports that I should be aware of before
signing up with a service and/or purchasing software? ............................................................................. 2
About Random Lengths XLS and DBF Services ............................................................................................. 2
What do we get when we receive the email report from RL? ......................................................................... 2
Can I receive just the spreadsheet or database files and cancel my subscription to the full Random Lengths or
International report? ...................................................................................................................... 2
When will the XLS or DBF file be in my email mailbox? ................................................................................ 2
How can I get a sample of the XLS or DBF files from Random Lengths? ............................................................. 3
Why doesn't Random Lengths use its website to distribute its publications? ....................................................... 3
Can I resend the Random Lengths Internet email reports to other locations in my company? .................................. 3
About Random Lengths XLS and DBF Service site license fees and delivery schedule ........................................... 3
What are the annual subscription and site license fees? .............................................................................. 3
When does Random Lengths send the Market Report XLS and DBF files to email subscribers? .................................. 3
What information is included in the Market Report XLS and DBF files? ............................................................. 4
Why would I want to subscribe to the XLS and/or DBF formats instead of fax or pdf versions of the Market Reports? ..... 4
Why would I want to subscribe to the XLS format? ..................................................................................... 4
Why would I want to subscribe to the DBF format? ..................................................................................... 4
About Random Lengths XLS and DBF prices and item codes ........................................................................... 4
Are the prices in the spreadsheet formats “location dependent”? .................................................................. 4
How do I know what item code refers to a given price for the spreadsheet (XLS) format files? ................................ 5
How do I know what item code refers to a given price for the database format file? ............................................ 5
Are there any other files available for database subscribers? ........................................................................ 5
Is there a license agreement or form required before starting an XLS or DBF subscription? ..................................... 5
How often do the Random Lengths Price Guide formats change? .................................................................... 5
If there is a price error in the email report file, how will I be notified of the correct price? ................................... 5
About email and the Internet ................................................................................................................. 6
What do I do if I don’t receive my email of the Random Lengths XLS or DBF file? ................................................ 6
What if my system uses a firewall? ........................................................................................................ 6
What email software does Random Lengths use? ....................................................................................... 6
I don’t have much experience with using the Internet and installing software. Can Random Lengths help me with
this? .......................................................................................................................................... 6
Where can I go for additional help in setting up my computer? ...................................................................... 6
Tips and Tricks .................................................................................................................................. 7
How do I link the information in the Random Lengths spreadsheets to my own Microsoft Excel spreadsheet? ............... 7
If I create my own custom spreadsheet, how do I set it up so it will update automatically with your spreadsheets? ....... 7
Random Lengths Publications, Inc. • Information Services for the Forest Products Industry
P.O. Box 867 Eugene, Oregon 97440-0867 • Email: rlmail@rlpi.com • Website: WWW.RANDOMLENGTHS.COM
Toll-Free Phone (U.S./Canada): (888) 686-9925, or Phone: (541) 686-9925
Toll-Free Fax (U.S./Canada): (800) 874-7979, or Fax: (541) 686-9629
About XLS and DBF File Formats
You will find the information and samples you need on the Random Lengths website at
WWW.RANDOMLENGTHS.COM on the Help & FAQs > E-mail and Fax Services page, in the section Spreadsheet
(XLS) and Database (DBF) Resources. If you would prefer to have the files sent to you, please email Random
Lengths at rlonline@rlpi.com.
What computer file formats are available through Random Lengths’ XLS and DBF email service?
The format transmitted for the spreadsheet XLS service is: Microsoft Excel v2003 spreadsheet. The format
transmitted for the database DBF service is: Comma Separated Values (CSV) format files.
Are there any special requirements for receiving Random Lengths’ email reports that I should be aware of
before signing up with a service and/or purchasing software?
Yes. You will need software to extract the compressed zip file (for example, WinZip).
For the XLS service, you will need software that can import Microsoft Excel v2003 spreadsheet files (for
example, Excel).
For the DBF service, you will need software that can import CSV files (for example, Microsoft Access)
About Random Lengths XLS and DBF Services

What do we get when we receive the email report from RL?
The report is sent to you as an “attachment” to an email message. The software that you use to access your
email will determine where the attachment is stored. The attachment is an executable self-extracting
compressed (ZIP) file. You must execute the attachment before you can use the file or files that it contains.
Can I receive just the spreadsheet or database files and cancel my subscription to the full Random Lengths
or International report?
NO. A subscription to the complete, 12-page Random Lengths newsletter, delivered by either email in PDF
format or postal delivery, is a prerequisite for all Lumber, Panel, and/or Midweek email and fax services. The
full Random Lengths report is the only way subscribers can receive “Through A Knothole,” the first 3 pages of
the weekly report. A subscription to the complete, 8-page International newsletter, delivered by either email
in PDF format or postal delivery, is a prerequisite for the International XLS and/or DBF email service.
When will the XLS or DBF file be in my email mailbox?

Random Lengths submits email publications to its Internet Service Provider as closely as possible to the release
times indicated below. However, many factors affect the publication process, release times may vary from one
week to the next, especially for the Midweek and Lumber Reports.
Although most subscribers receive their email reports promptly after the release time, delays in delivery of
emails can occur that are out of our control. We cannot guarantee delivery precisely at the release time. For
estimated delivery times, see the release times listed below for each publication.
—page 2 of 7 —
How can I get a sample of the XLS or DBF files from Random Lengths?
You can view/download samples of XLS and DBF files from the Random Lengths website at
WWW.RANDOMLENGTHS.COM, under each publication detail page. XLS and DBF sample files are available for:
Shop our Products & Services (Publication > EMS & Fax > View All)
 The Lumber Report
 The Panel Report
 The Midweek Report
 Random Lengths International Report
You may also request samples from Random Lengths. Voice: 888-686-9925 (in the U.S. and Canada) or 541-686-
9925, Fax: 800-874-7979 or 541-686-9629, Email: rlonline@rlpi.com. Please note which file (Lumber, Panel,
Midweek, and/or International) and file type (XLS, DBF, or both XLS and DBF), along with your email address,
name, company, and phone number.
Why doesn't Random Lengths use its website to distribute its publications?
Speed, capacity, reliability, and security. These factors are important to you and to us. Websites do not
adequately provide a combination of speed and capacity that will serve a large number of Random Lengths
subscribers in a short period of time. By transmitting directly to subscribers’ email boxes, we are eliminating
the website “middle step” in delivering information to subscribers. And we eliminate “traffic jams” that can
occur at a website.
Can I resend the Random Lengths Internet email reports to other locations in my company?
NO. All Random Lengths reports are covered by U.S. copyright laws and international copyright agreements.
You cannot resend the reports, or any portions of them, by email, fax, computer transmission, or any other
means without permission from Random Lengths Publications, Inc.
About Random Lengths XLS and DBF Service site license fees and delivery schedule
What are the annual subscription and site license fees?
To see all current rates, click on the links below to go to the current individual product detail page. All rates
are in US dollars. Canadian residents, please add GST/HST for your province.
Shop our Products & Services (Publication > EMS & Fax > View All)
 The Lumber Report
 The Panel Report
 The Midweek Report
 Random Lengths International Report
A Copyright Compliance Form and Subscriber license (PDF format), which is provided before service begins,
has detailed information about the site license agreement. This is available on the Random Lengths Website at
WWW.RANDOMLENGTHS.COM. Go to Help & FAQs, then Copyright Compliance Form. A link to the form
appears at the top of the page.
When does Random Lengths send the Market Report XLS and DBF files to email subscribers?
 The Lumber Report is released by 6:00 pm Pacific Time every Thursday, to be available at the
beginning of the work day on Friday. Delivery usually occurs within one hour of the listed release time.
—page 3 of 7 —
 The Panel Report is released by 11:30 am Pacific Time every Friday, to be available by 12:00 noon
Pacific Time on Friday. Delivery usually occurs within one half-hour of the listed release time.
 The Midweek Report is released by 6:00 pm Pacific Time every Tuesday, to be available at the
beginning of the work day on Wednesday. Delivery usually occurs within one hour of the listed release
time.
 The Random Lengths International Report is released by 4:30 pm Pacific Time every other Wednesday
night. Delivery usually occurs within one hour of the listed release time.
What information is included in the Market Report XLS and DBF files?
 The Lumber Report includes the full Random Lengths Lumber Price Guide (pages 5 - 8 of the
complete, 12-page edition), and the Market Commentaries (pages 4, 9 & 10 of the complete 12-page
edition) bundled as a separate text file.
 The Panel Report includes the full Random Lengths Panel Price Guide (page 12 of the complete, 12-
page edition), and the Market Commentaries (page 11 of the complete, 12-page edition) bundled as a
separate text file.
 The Midweek Report includes the Random Lengths Midweek Price Guide, and the Market Commentary
bundled as a separate text file.
 The Random Lengths International Report includes the International Price Guide, and the World
Markets Commentary (pages 3-4 of the complete 8-page edition) bundled as a separate text file.
Why would I want to subscribe to the XLS and/or DBF formats instead of fax or pdf versions of the Market
Reports?
The email XLS and DBF versions can be directly imported by the subscriber into his/her own software for
analytic and/or data history purposes. The pdf and fax versions are designed to be viewed and printed only.
Why would I want to subscribe to the XLS format?

The XLS (spreadsheet) format of the Random Lengths reports resembles the printed format and makes it very
easy for subscribers to interface to their own spreadsheets for analytic purposes without the effort and
potential for error implicit in manual data entry.
The XLS format also allows subscribers to readily tailor Random Lengths price guide info to their own specific
needs. All spreadsheet price cells are labeled using item codes to allow subscribers to easily adapt theirs when
Random Lengths alters the price guides.
Why would I want to subscribe to the DBF format?

The DBF (database) format of the Random Lengths reports makes it very easy for subscribers to interface to
their own database systems without the effort and potential for error implicit in manual data entry.
About Random Lengths XLS and DBF prices and item codes
Are the prices in the spreadsheet formats “location dependent”?
No. Every price cell has an item code. Using these item code references in your own spreadsheets will make
them impervious to the changes that occur in the Random Lengths reports periodically. Example: KD WSPF 2&B
2x4 RL has an item code of “LCBQ”. A subscriber designed spreadsheet that references “LCBQ” rather the
actual cell location of the KD WSPF 2&B 2x4 RL price will not be impacted by changes that result in this price
being moved to a different cell in the spreadsheet.
—page 4 of 7 —
How do I know what item code refers to a given price for the spreadsheet (XLS) format files?
You will find the information and samples you need on the Random Lengths website at
WWW.RANDOMLENGTHS.COM on the Help & FAQs > E-mail and Fax Services page, in the section Spreadsheet
(XLS) and Database (DBF) Resources
The Random Lengths Price Item Code Key, available in Microsoft Excel 2003 format (RL_Tags.xls) or Adobe
PDF format (RL_Tags.pdf) (also known as the tag sheets), are available to download (or Save As) and view.
These files have the same design as the printed price reports, but contain item codes in place of prices.
When you create references from the Random Lengths spreadsheets to your own, custom spreadsheets, use
item codes instead of cell locations. That way, your spreadsheet links will still work properly if there were
revisions to the Random Lengths Spreadsheet. Database users can also use this key, along with the database
description file, as an easy reference for item code locations, since they appear in the same position as on the
printed report.
How do I know what item code refers to a given price for the database format file?
The Lumber Database Description File, Panel Database Description File, and International Database
description file in CSV format are also available to download (or Save As) and view. These cross-reference
tables contain complete text and key-word descriptions for all price guide labels. The Midweek prices are
included in the Lumber and Panel Database Description Files.
 Random Lengths Lumber Database Description File (Lbr_desc.csv)
 Random Lengths Panel Database Description File (Pnl_desc.csv)
 Random Lengths International Database Description File (RLI_desc.csv)
Are there any other files available for database subscribers?

Support tables are available in Microsoft Access format on request. We're making the support tables used to
expand the field codes, including the query used to concatenate the Short, Medium and Long descriptions,
available in Access format on request.
Is there a license agreement or form required before starting an XLS or DBF subscription?
Yes, before beginning the spreadsheet and database services, all users will need to fill out and return a
Copyright Compliance Form and Subscriber license . The form will need to be updated annually for the license
to be renewed.
How often do the Random Lengths Price Guide formats change?

They could change at anytime. However, normally Random Lengths changes the formats twice each year. You
will be notified approximately one month prior to these changes and provided with the needed information on
new or discontinued prices and tags.
For information, see the Price Guide Revisions page on the website.
If there is a price error in the email report file, how will I be notified of the correct price?
Random Lengths will email any corrections to you, so that you can make them in your files.
Spreadsheet and database subscribers will receive a new copy of the complete transmission files, with the
corrected information included.
—page 5 of 7 —
About email and the Internet
What do I do if I don’t receive my email of the Random Lengths XLS or DBF file?
 Please check with your Internet support person.
 Check with your Internet provider and see if their email host is down.
 Check to see if you have a firewall.
 Check to see if Random Lengths is on your whitelist and in your address book
 Contact Random Lengths and let us know you are having problems. We can resend the report directly
to you, provide suggestions, and help you test solutions with your technical support staff.
What if my system uses a firewall?

Check with your Internet support person and make them aware of your email needs.
What email software does Random Lengths use?

Random Lengths uses Microsoft Outlook to send and receive emails.
I don’t have much experience with using the Internet and installing software. Can Random Lengths help
me with this?
No. Random Lengths does not provide technical support.
Where can I go for additional help in setting up my computer?

There are many sources for help:
1) Your in-house technical support staff.
2) Your Internet Service Provider. (Note that ISP technical support ranges from excellent to nonexistent,
so make technical support one of your criteria when selecting a provider).
3) An independent consultant. Many consultants specifically advertise Internet support services. Your ISP
might recommend a consultant if they don’t offer in-house technical support.
4) Your local book store may have books detailing how to set up an Internet connection on the specific
operating system (for example: Windows or OSX) that you’re using.
—page 6 of 7 —
Tips and Tricks
How do I link the information in the Random Lengths spreadsheets to my own Microsoft Excel spreadsheet?
1. For reference purposes, have a Random Lengths Item Code Key, (available from the Random Lengths
website at WWW.RANDOMLENGTHS.COM on the Help & FAQs > E-mail and Fax Services page, in the
section Spreadsheet (XLS) and Database (DBF) Resources) in either Microsoft Excel 2003 format
(RL_Tags.xls) or Adobe PDF format (RL_Tags.pdf) (also known as the tag sheets) that contains item
codes in place of prices in front of you, so you know the item codes that you will want to link to.
2. In Microsoft Excel, open both the Random Lengths spreadsheet, lbr_ems.xls, and the spreadsheet you
have created that you want to link to the Random Lengths prices.
3. In your spreadsheet, go to the cell where you want to import the Random Lengths price.
a. Type an equal symbol: = Press Control and the F6 keys at the same time.
b. Go to the Random Lengths spreadsheet.
c. Click on the cell with the price you want to reference.
d. Select the Enter key.
e. You will be returned to your custom spreadsheet.
4. Now you have the basic formula in your spreadsheet linking it to the Random Lengths spreadsheet, you
can copy and revise the formula to allow you to import prices without having to go back and forth
between the two sheets.
a. Copy the cell in your custom spreadsheet with the formula.
b. Paste it in a new location of your custom spreadsheet.
c. Select the F2 key.
d. Replace the existing item code name with a new item code for another price.
If I create my own custom spreadsheet, how do I set it up so it will update automatically with your
spreadsheets?
First, make sure you have linked the spreadsheets properly by following the procedures in the previous
question.
If you place the Random Lengths spreadsheet in the same directory on your computer each time it is emailed
to you, your custom spreadsheet will automatically link to the Random Lengths spreadsheet and update the
prices.
—page 7 of 7 —

Faq XLS-DBF

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Copyright:

Available Formats

Faq XLS-DBF

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Copyright:

Available Formats

Email Spreadsheet (xls) and Database (dbf)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

About Random Lengths XLS and DBF Services

When will the XLS or DBF file be in my email mailbox?

Why would I want to subscribe to the XLS format?

Why would I want to subscribe to the DBF format?

Are there any other files available for database subscribers?

How often do the Random Lengths Price Guide formats change?

What if my system uses a firewall?

What email software does Random Lengths use?

Where can I go for additional help in setting up my computer?

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