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A comma delimited file is one where each value in the file is separated by a comma. Also known as a Comma Separated Value file, a comma delimited file is a standard file type that a number of different tab at the top of the screen and choose 'Save As.' When the Save As window loads, type the name of your file into the 'File Name' field.
Excel quickly recognizes the delimited file structure and provides option before opening it. Select delimiter. In this case, it is PIPE(|) and click next. Excel recognizes the data format but if you want, you can select each column one by one and choose the data format. You can also choose not to import that column. Click on finish to import pipe delimited file. This will open a delimited file in Microsoft Excel. Once the Import Text File dialog box appears, choose the file and click Open. In the Text Import Wizard - Step 1 of 3 dialog, choose the following settings and click Next. Original data type: Delimited; Start import at row: 1; File origin: 437: OEM United States; Note, in later versions of Excel, you may be able to choose UTF-8, which is the actual 'origin' or 'encoding' of the file.
3.Click the drop-down arrow next to 'Save as type.' Select 'CSV (Comma delimited) (*.csv)' from the list of potential file types. Choose the folder where you want to save the file from the small Explorer area at the top of the window. Click 'Save' to save your file.
4.Click 'OK' to confirm your understanding that CSV files can't save multiple sheets and that only the active sheet will be saved. Click 'Yes' to confirm that certain aspects of the spreadsheet may not be compatible with the CSV file type.
Tip
- A comma delimited file cannot process any information other than straight data. This means that if your Excel spreadsheet has formulas in it, only the formula result will be saved in the CSV file. Objects, like text boxes or graphs, will not be included in the CSV file at all.
About the Author
Shawn McClain has spent over 15 years as a journalist covering technology, business, culture and the arts. He has published numerous articles in both national and local publications, and online at various websites. He is currently pursuing his master's degree in journalism at Clarion University.
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McClain, Shawn. 'How to Make a Comma Delimited File From Excel.' Small Business - Chron.com, http://smallbusiness.chron.com/make-comma-delimited-file-excel-29527.html. Accessed 18 November 2019.
McClain, Shawn. (n.d.). How to Make a Comma Delimited File From Excel. Small Business - Chron.com. Retrieved from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/make-comma-delimited-file-excel-29527.html
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