CookBook Software.... (better, range, where, original)

[Cuisinette]

Originally Posted by ivanabacowboy

Another vote for MasterCook. This is an awesome software. And it is only $20. Make sure if you get it to get a version 8 or 9. Reason: with version 8 came arrival of the Web Import function. Basically, there is a way you can copy recipes AND pictures directly off the internet and dump them into MasterCook.

I have thousands of recipes in MasterCook. The previous poster was correct each "Cookbook" is limited to 12,000 recipes. But the number of cookbooks you can have is limited only by the size of your hard drive.

If your recipes are in Word documents, there are a couple easy ways to get them into MasterCook without having to retype.

1) Open your Word Document. Save as html (web page). Open Internet Explorer. Open the file you just saved. Click on the Mastercook Web Import Icon (MasterCook has the ability to "take" recipes off web pages, including photos). Since you saved your file as a web page, MasterCook "thinks" it is on a web page. Click a few buttons to put the proper stuff in the proper place in each recipe (ie title, ingredients, etc). Click again---->they dump in one fell swoop into a database cookbook you can then search.

2) Another option. You can run them through an Import, but they must be formatted "just so" (ie space here, characters here etc) for it to work.

3) Third option Import Assistant. You copy the recipe onto a little notepad thing within Mastercook and "put the pieces where they go" by clicking.

I tried a few other recipe softwares. Like CookN and Living Cookbook and a few lesser knowns. MasterCook wins hands down.

Thank you for the points given, it really helps me.
I saw the tutorial from Cook'n and seems easier than MasterCook.
If I save a doc. with pictures as web page, will the picture be saved as well?

I'll give it a try now to see.

Thanks again.

[TexasHorseLady]

I second the wish for a "Pandora" (my most recent addiction) that is recipe-related.

[Cuisinette]

MasterCook doesn't recognizes the web format.

I converted a doc. to web and the program say,
No MasterCook items were found. Select Import Assistant to import.
Funny thing is the Import Assistant gives me this message.

I see the web file but when I press done, nothing is transfered into the recipe file.

[ivanabacowboy]

Are you running XP or Vista? Are you using IE? Did you buy the MasterCook software or download it off the web? (The web version is a waste of time-from what I understand it has a few gimps in it. )

MasterCook does fully recognize a Word document saved as html. If you use the Web Import, it should be able to get the pictures as well.

[Cuisinette]

XP/IE

I bought the soft today at Best Buy MasterCook 9.0
It doesn't have the Web import.

It has:
Import
Import Assistant
Export and mail

The Import Assistant has only:
Auto-fill
Save recipe
New recipe
Done

Previous selection
Next Selection

And a drop menu for:
Select a recipe field

[ivanabacowboy]

9.0 definitely comes with Web Import.

Open Internet Explorer as if you are going on the internet. Is there an icon on the top that says MasterCook?

If not, click on Tools-->Toolbars--->Customize. Do you see the MasterCook icon in the list?

[ivanabacowboy]

If I did this correctly, first attachment is a screenshot of the MC icon and once you click on it, and the second is of a document saved as html and opened in IE with MasterCook.

[Cuisinette]

Originally Posted by ivanabacowboy

9.0 definitely comes with Web Import.

Open Internet Explorer as if you are going on the internet. Is there an icon on the top that says MasterCook?

No icon (I will make a restart maybe it needs after I installed the MC)

If not, click on Tools-->Toolbars--->Customize. Do you see the MasterCook icon in the list?

I have no Toolbars option on Tools.

[ivanabacowboy]

Definitely try a restart.

Depending how you have IE configured, do you have the words across the top that like say File, Edit, View? if you have that, try looking under View-->Explorer Bar. Or do you have the Tool icon (it looks like a gear)--->that is where Toolbars-->Customize is. I have no idea which version IE I have-I suspect 7.

[Cuisinette]

Originally Posted by ivanabacowboy

Definitely try a restart.

Depending how you have IE configured, do you have the words across the top that like say File, Edit, View? if you have that, try looking under View-->Explorer Bar. Or do you have the Tool icon (it looks like a gear)--->that is where Toolbars-->Customize is. I have no idea which version IE I have-I suspect 7.

Aha, it was under View .... fksdksdksjscobds

I found it... thanks so much for your effort to help me.

I wasn't getting the idea ... is not like is the first soft I am working with, and is kind of frustating because I thought we speak different languages