A comma-separated value (CSV) file is a file that contains table data displayed in plain text format (text that is not written or computationally formatted), such as email contacts (electronic mail or email). Although you can open CSV files using many programs, such as text editing programs, it's a good idea to open them using a spreadsheet program, such as Microsoft Excel, OpenOffice Calc, or Google Sheets. To open a CSV file, you must click the “Open” option on the “File” menu, select the CSV file, and set the delimiter settings if the data is not displayed correctly. The steps listed in this article can be used in Google Sheets. However, you must first upload the CSV file to Google's servers. Therefore, make sure the data is written and stored neatly.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Microsoft Excel
Step 1. Run Microsoft Excel on the computer
Step 2. Click the “File” menu and select the “Open” option
This menu is in the upper-left side of the window. Clicking on it will open a window where you can select files stored on your computer.
You can also press Ctrl + O (for Windows) or press Cmd + O (for Mac) to open an Open window
Step 3. Select the CSV file and click the “Open” button
The file will be opened and displayed in a new Microsoft Excel spreadsheet.
Step 4. Click the “Data” tab to access the “Text to Columns” wizard window (optional)
Microsoft Excel can process data better if all the text contained in the CSV file is stored in a column. The "Data" tab is at the top of the menu bar and will display various options specific to data settings.
If you want to split specific columns, click and drag the cursor to highlight the column you want to split
Step 5. Click the “Text to Columns” option
This option is one of the options available on the "Data" tab. Clicking on it will open the “Text to Columns” wizard window.
Step 6. Click the “Delimited” option and click the “Next” button
Step 7. Check the “Comma” box and click the “Finish” button
” All text previously separated by commas will be placed in separate individual columns.
Method 2 of 3: OpenOffice Calc
Step 1. Download and open OpenOffice Calc
Select your computer's operating system in the drop-down menu and click the “Download” button. Run the installer and select the Open Office program you want to install on your computer. To open a CSV file, all you need is OpenOffice Calc.
OpenOffice is software (software) that can be obtained for free
Step 2. Click the “File” menu and select the “Open” option
This menu is in the upper-left side of the window. Clicking on it will open a window where you can select files stored on your computer.
Step 3. Select the CSV file and click the “Open” button
After that, the file will be opened in the OpenOffice Calc program.
Step 4. Click the “Data” menu and select the “Text to Columns” option (optional)
If OpenOffice Calc doesn't share data properly, you can set the delimiter yourself to fix it. The "Data" menu is at the top of the menu bar.
If you want to split specific columns, click and drag the cursor to highlight the column you want to split
Step 5. Select the “Separe By” option
This option is in the “Separator Options” section.
Step 6. Check the “Comma” box and click the “OK” button
After that, all the text previously separated by commas will be placed in separate individual columns.
Method 3 of 3: Google Sheets
Step 1. Open the Google Sheets website in a browser and sign in to your Google account
Enter the username and password and click the “Next” button.
- Google Sheets is free to use. However, you must have a Google account to use it. If you don't have a Google account, click the “Create Account” button and follow the instructions that appear on the screen to create a Google account username and password.
- Google Sheets can also be accessed directly from Google Drive.
Step 2. Click the “Open file picker” button (Open File Picker)
This button is in the form of a folder icon and is at the top right of the page (page). Clicking on it will open the “Open a file” window (Open a File).
Step 3. Click the “Upload” tab
Clicking on it will open the tab where you can upload the CSV file.
Step 4. Drag and drop the CSV file in the Upload tab
After that, a bar informing the upload process will appear on the screen.
You can also click the "Select file to upload" button in the middle of the "Open file” window and search for the CSV file stored on your computer
Step 5. Wait for the CSV file to finish uploading
The file will be automatically opened by Google Sheets when it finishes uploading.
- This process may take a few seconds to a few minutes, depending on the size of the file.
- Google Sheets will automatically separate all data contained in the CSV file with a comma delimiter. This way, text that was previously separated by commas will be placed in separate individual columns.
