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Chapter 7 Exchange
Working With ALE Lists
An ALE list is a text file with no formatting. It can be viewed in a simple text editor, but also in a full-
blown word processor. Because of its table-like structure it is best edited in a spreadsheet software such
as Microsoft Excel.
Let’s use a logging list as an example to outline the procedure. You, the editor, want to provide your client
with a list of all logged clips and other objects in the Project.
1 Since ALE Export scans all Racks of a Project from top to bottom, it may be a good idea to check
the order of Racks and objects within the Racks before the export is started.
2 Select Avid Liquid È Menu bar > File > Export to File > XML/ALE...
3 The whole Project or just a the content of a single Rack? Click the appropriate checkbox and select
a directory.
4 Click Save; the export begins.
Sequences and effects are not exported.
5 Load the ALE file in your spreadsheet software. Depending on the product it may be necessary to
change the file suffix to *.txt.
6 You can import the *.ale file directly in Excel. A conversions routine starts automatically. Make
sure that tabs are used as delimiters.
7 Now you have all the possibilities of the spreadsheet software.
Yo u c a n s o r t b y Ta p e name to line up all clips of a certain tape, you can delete columns you don’t
need, or you can move the Comment column next to the Name column.
This list can be printed.
Using the ALE as a Batch List
ALE are very versatile lists. They can easily be converted. To convert an ALE to a Batch List, which can be
loaded in FinalCut Pro, for example, it suffices to rename some of the column headings and to insert two
additional. The exact required format is documented in the manuals of the applications.
One thing you should not forget after having edited the list in a spreadsheet or word processor: Save the
list as text file with no application-specific formatting and, if required, change the file suffix to whatever
the importing application needs.