Things You'll Need:
- A csv data file
-
Step 1
Save your CSV file where you can find it. Open Excel to a blank spreadsheet.
-
Step 2
Select the Data tab in the Ribbon. In the Get External Data box, click on the From Text option and select your file in the Import Text File box.
-
Step 3
The Text Import Wizard will start at Step 1 of 3. In Step 1 select the delimiter. The simplest delimiter is a comma and most CSV files use a comma. That is why the files are called CSV or comma separated value files.
If the CSV file uses fixed width fields, change the Original data type to Fixed width. This is a file that uses a specific width for every field so that each field can be separated out.
Once you have the correct data type setting, click Next. -
Step 4
Step 2 of 3 in the Text Import Wizard allows you to select a different type of delimiter. Even if your CSV file does not use commas as separators, you can select the correct delimiter in the Delimiters box.
Make sure to look at the selection and the Data preview box. The preview will change based upon your selection. Once you have the correct selection click Next. -
Step 5
Step 3 of 3 gives you the chance to correctly identify the format for each column of data. If you have dates and numbers this is invaluable. If you have numbers that represent accounts with leading zeros, make sure to change the Column data format to Text. That will maintain the leading zeros.
When you are comfortable with all of the column data formats click on Finish. -
Step 6
A final dialog box will come up allowing you to select the location on your spreadsheet to place the starting point of your data. Click OK and your data will be placed on the spreadsheet.
