Address Book -- Importing CSV File created by Numbers

Question

I'm trying to import a csv file generated from MS outlook into address book. When I attempt to import the csv file that Outlook created, Address Book is able to recognize the file. However, I need to modify the file before importing. To do that, I opened in Numbers, deleted some columns and renamed some columns. Then, I exported from Numbers as a .CSV file. However, when I try to import the .CSV file created by numbers, I get the error that I have modified with Numbers, I get the error "Text file import failure".
Does anybody know why address book can't import a CSV file created by Numbers?

Answer 1

Many people have run into this problem, including myself. I had worked many hours on a spreadsheet in Numbers, exported to CSV, and received the error message when trying to import into Address Book. The answers to this dilemma are out there, but tidbits of the whole answer are spread around discussion boards. So I hope to consolidate those answers here.
The main problem for me -- and it's reasonable to assume that others receive the "Text File import error" for the same reason -- is that 1) I had commas in my spreadsheet, and 2) I had hidden RETURNs in the spreadsheet. Once I got rid of those two things, I had no problem importing into Address Book.
Deleting Commas>
The problem with commas in your spreadsheet is that the CSV format uses commas to distinguish when a new cell is formed. So having other commas will inevitably confuse Address Book during the attempted import. I didn't have too many commas in my spreadsheet, so I was able to quickly remove them. Yet, if you have dozens or hundreds of cells with commas in them, you'll need an easier solution. I imagine opening Number's Inspector>Cell Inspector>Format will have the solution of removing commas from, say, currency amounts or something else. Yet, how many commas arise in contact information? Perhaps the easiest way is to use the same method of removing those hidden RETURNs. Read on...
Deleting Hidden RETURNs>
You can't see them, and I couldn't find a "show invisibles" option in Numbers. So you need to search and find them. Yet, how do you search for something hidden? Do the Command-F thing to bring up the search field. The search bar should automatically be ready to search what you type. Hitting the Return key will do nothing for you, but hitting Shift-Option-Return will (you'll likely need to hit Return again to actually perform the search). Numbers will point out how many times these hidden returns are in your spreadsheet, which cells contain them, and give you the option to automatically replace them with something else (a space is a safe option). You can do the same search and replace with commas too.
Save your spreadsheet, export it as CSV, and -- as long as the only errors stemmed from commas and hidden RETURNs -- you shouldn't have a problem having Address Book import it. Good luck!
PS- After importing my spreadsheet, I noticed that some of my Smart Groups in Address Book were not showing some people who should have automatically been in there. The problem was that the Smart Group search had straight apostrophes in it, but the imported contact had curved apostrophes. The computer saw these as two unrelated characters. After some copying and pasting, the problem was solved.