All remaining values are then just changed to text. General format is selected for each column by default and will do most of the work here for you by converting numbers and dates where it deems appropriate. The third and final step allows you to select the data format of each of your columns. The Data preview window shows you what your data will look like with the selected delimiter so, if it doesnt look right, select another one until it does and then hit the Next button. All the other options here are for files which are separated in various forms other than commas and you select those options if you need to. All you need to select here is Comma as your delimiter then click next. My CSV has column headings so I have this selected. The only thing to note here is if your data has column headings you will have to check the My data has headers checkbox. Step 1 has a number of options but most of these you will never change. A 3-step wizard will then open to help you import your text file correctly: You just navigate to the CSV file you wish to import, select it and then click the Import button. To import a CSV you first select the DATA tab then left click From Text in the first panel. It is this feature of CSVs that allows Excel to easily import them.

I now have this information in a CSV:Įven looking at this CSV in Notepad you can see a table. In the last tutorial I had a list of forenames, surnames and ages. Each column of the table is separated by a comma and each row is separated by a new line.

Even a basic text editor such as Notepad can understand them, although this is not recommended when you have 1,000s or even 10,000s of lines of text stored as it gets a bit confusing to read/navigate, and this is why you want to use Excel.ĬSV stands for Comma Separated Values and is a text file with a structure much like a table. Text files in CSV format are one of the easiest ways to store and transfer data as it is one of the most compatible files to use.

How to open a large text file in excel