How to Convert SAV to CSV

By Bonnie Conrad

Verify the SAV file location before you begin.
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The aptly named SAV file format allows you to save a work in progress. This can be useful no matter what the project, but once you save that data you need a way to analyze and examine it. Converting your existing SAV file to CSV format allows you to import it into an Access database, an Excel spreadsheet or any number of other programs. Once the data is saved as a CSV, you can examine it more closely for the necessary information.

Locate the SAV file you want to convert. Note the drive letter and folder location of the SAV file.

Go to a website that provides translation services from the SAV to CSV and text file formats (see Resources). Click the "Browse" button and navigate to your SAV file.

Save the resulting SAV file in the format of your choice. If the website is able to save the SAV file in CSV format your work is finished. Otherwise, move on to the next step.

Open Microsoft Excel and click the Office button. Choose "Open" from the menu and change the "Files of type" option to "Text files." Navigate to the text file you created in the previous step to start the import process.

Click the Office button and choose "Save As." Choose "CSV (Comma delimited)" from the list of options.

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