Export address book for Gmail account

Question

Hello!
I would like to export my address book as a CSV file for import into Gmail. Address book can export a vcard, but I don't see anything about CSV.
I'd enter it manually, but I'd MUCH rather use my current address book - it's correct, and I don't have to type in stuff!
Thanks,
Dan

Answer 1

Here is an Applescript I wrote for just that purpose. It's a little rough but all your main info is translated to Gmail fields. Do not use this script for a "backup", as it drops a lot of fields.
I have been the only one to use this, so reports/complaints are welcome. Script beeps when finished, and the file appears on your desktop.
-- Export to Gmail.scpt
-- version 23 May 2006
-- http://Gnarlodious.com/
set separator to ","
set gmailElements to {"Name", "E-mail", "Notes", "Section 1 - Description", "Section 1 - Email", "Section 1 - IM", "Section 1 - Phone", "Section 1 - Mobile", "Section 1 - Pager", "Section 1 - Fax", "Section 1 - Company", "Section 1 - Title", "Section 1 - Other", "Section 1 - Address", "Section 2 - Description", "Section 2 - Email", "Section 2 - IM", "Section 2 - Phone", "Section 2 - Mobile", "Section 2 - Pager", "Section 2 - Fax", "Section 2 - Company", "Section 2 - Title", "Section 2 - Other", "Section 2 - Address"}
set exportedFile to (path to desktop as string) & "Gmail Upload.csv"
set indexLine to ""
set elementsCount to count of gmailElements
repeat with loopVar from 1 to elementsCount
set indexLine to indexLine & item loopVar of gmailElements & separator
end repeat
set indexLine to text 1 thru -2 of indexLine
tell application "Address Book"
--try
open for access file exportedFile with write permission
write indexLine & return to alias exportedFile
repeat with loopVar from 1 to (get count of every person)
set thisRecord to person loopVar
try -- name
-- this method does not fail if text is already plain
set {text:result} to (name of thisRecord as string)
on error
end try
set csvLine to the result
try -- primary email
set {text:result} to (value of email 1 of thisRecord as string)
on error
end try
set csvLine to csvLine & separator & the result
-- the "notes" field cannot be deleted, so lets use it for something informative like nickname
try
set {text:result} to (nickname of thisRecord)
on error
end try
set csvLine to csvLine & separator & result
(* set {text:notes} to (note of thisRecord as string) -- note
if notes is "missing value" then set notes to "" *)
try -- description
set {text:result} to (value of related name 1 of thisRecord as string)
on error
end try
set csvLine to csvLine & separator & the result
try -- alt email
set {text:result} to (value of email 2 of thisRecord as string)
on error
end try
set csvLine to csvLine & separator & the result
try -- AIM
set {text:result} to (value of AIM Handle 1 of thisRecord as string)
on error
end try
set csvLine to csvLine & separator & the result
try -- phone 1 (same as phone)
set {text:result} to (value of phone 1 of thisRecord as string)
on error
end try
set csvLine to csvLine & separator & the result
try -- phone mobile
set {text:result} to (value of phone 2 of thisRecord as string)
on error
end try
set csvLine to csvLine & separator & the result
try -- pager
set {text:result} to (value of phone 3 of thisRecord as string)
on error
end try
set csvLine to csvLine & separator & the result
try -- FAX
set {text:result} to (value of phone 4 of thisRecord as string)
on error
end try
set csvLine to csvLine & separator & the result
if company of thisRecord is true then -- company
-- set {text:result} to (name of thisRecord)
"company"
else
end if
set csvLine to csvLine & separator & the result
try -- city
set {text:result} to (city of address 1 of thisRecord)
on error
end try
set csvLine to csvLine & separator & the result
-- -- skip title as I do not use them
-- set csvLine to csvLine & separator
-- try -- Other field will be URL
-- set {text:result} to (value of url of thisRecord)
-- on error
-- end try
-- set csvLine to csvLine & separator --& the result (error, commas in Google Maps URLs need to be escaped)
write («class ktxt» of ((csvLine as string) as record)) & return to alias exportedFile
-- write csvLine & return to alias exportedFile
end repeat
-- on error
-- close access file exportedFile
-- end try
close access file exportedFile
end tell
beep
  Mac OS X (10.4)