This format saves a workbook as a comma-separated file for use on the Mac operating system.ĬSV (MS-DOS). This format saves data in a comma-separated text file that can be used in another Windows program or another version of the Windows operating system.ĬSV (Macintosh). In your version, the list may look a little different.ĬSV (comma delimited). Here are the CSV options available in Excel 365. To correctly export data to other programs, Excel lets you choose the CSV formatting that best matches the program's expectations. For example, Mac uses a single carriage return () represented by for a line break, while Windows uses a combination of carriage return and line feed () represented by . In essence, each CSV format saves data as comma-separated values but performs encoding in a slightly different way. Microsoft Excel allows saving a file in a few different CSV formats, and you may be curious to know the differences between them.

XLSX to CSV using OpenOffice (lets you choose delimiters and encodings).

Excel to CSV via Google Spreadsheets (preserves special characters).

Export Excel to CSV keeping special characters.

All this is possible because a CSV document is plain text and an average user or even a novice can easily understand it without any learning curve. The CSV format allows users to glance at the file and immediately diagnose the problems with data, change the delimiter, text qualifier, etc.

Its popularity and viability are due to the fact that CSV files are supported by many different applications and systems at least as an alternative import/export format.

The methods work for all versions of Excel, from 365 to 2007.Ĭomma separated values ( CSV) is a widely used format that stores tabular data (numbers and text) as plain text. The article explorers quick and efficient ways to export data from Excel to CSV keeping all special characters and foreign symbols intact.

Convert delimited text file to excel