Grunt Extract copies your grid data from the XML appraisal files on your disk and converts it into CSV files. (See CSV Files) It is built to work quietly in the background as quickly as it can without noticeably slowing down your computer. It is started by Appraiser Grunt (unless it is already running). Grunt Extract is the program that keeps your MasterDat.CSV, CompsDat.CSV, and affiliate data files current.
The time Grunt Extract takes to retrieve and convert your grid data depends on the number of files the software has to process. It processes files fast enough that you may not notice it running from day to day, since there should normally be only a few files to process. The first time Grunt Extract runs it may have to process hundreds or thousands of files and may have to run for a substantial length of time. Once it has processed all the available records, it creates / updates your files, then starts GruntImageExtractor.EXE to go back through the files and retrieve the photographs.
Grunt Extract uses the Source folders setting string in Appraiser Grunt to determine which XML files to process, and the Output folder setting as the destination for MasterDat.CSV and CompsDat.CSV files it creates and updates. It also creates an ImportedData folder containing all your UADNet.com Affiliate data files and another folder called Images. This subfolder contains downloaded affiliate image (photo) files.
Because of confidentiality concerns, GruntExtract does not upload or share your MasterDat.CSV file (nor does UADNet.com). To maintain confidentiality, GruntExtract creates CompsDat.CSV using only comparable sale data, essentially redacting all subject references and adjustments. Though GruntExtract also uploads adjustment data, those pieces of data in the records are so limited it is not possible to positively associate any adjustments to any subject property information.
USPAP WARNING: Don't share
MasterDat.CSV with others!
Your MasterDat.CSV file includes ALL
of the information contained in your original sales grids, including Subject
information and adjustments used. Anyone receiving your
MasterDat.CSV may be able to
re-assemble the original grid and view your assignment results.
Grunt Image Extractor copies the picture data from the XML appraisal files on your disk and saves them as graphic (JPG, BMP, GIF) files based on the format of the data in your files. The extraction process takes longer than simply extracting the text records so it is built to work quietly in the background as quickly as it can without noticeably slowing down your computer. It is normally started by GruntExtract.EXE (unless it is already running).
Grunt Image Extractor uses the Source folders setting string in Appraiser Grunt to determine which XML files to process, and the Output folder setting as the destination for the Images subfolder where it stores copies of your graphics files.
CSV stands for Comma-Separated Values. A CSV file is a plain text file that stores tabular data, such as numbers or text, in a structured format. CSV files can be opened and edited with basic text editors like Notepad, but are also supported by spreadsheet programs like Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, and many database systems. CSV files are text files that contain no executable code, and so are quickly and easily scanned for viruses and malware by most systems.] The CSV format is used so you always have full access to your property record data. For the files created, each line corresponds to one row in the table, and each column corresponds to one field in the grid. The first row of the file contains the field names. Within each line, commas (,) separate the individual values, which represent columns.