Can't export to CSV files

[AkisM]

Whenever I try a CSV output, the file comes out looking like this, all mushed up in the same column:

Place,Age,Address,Description,ZIP

My understanding is that if you set comma as the delimiter (which I have), there will be separated columns. Anyone knows what the issue is? I tried using dot as a delimiter too just in case, and it's the same issue (mushed up in 1 column), but instead it looks like this

Place.Age.Address.Description.ZIP

[LukeM]

Hi @AkisM 

Have you checked the other settings in the output tool - this will affect you the CSV file is generated.

They should be like this, for reading in excel:

I assume the issue is when you are opening the csv in excel? This could also be an issue with how excel is configured to read excels.

Let me know if those settings help.

Luke

[RolandSchubert]

Depending on your configuration, seperator in Excel maybe ";". Did you try that?

[AkisM]

Hi @LukeM , those are indeed the settings I have on my output tool. The issue is indeed when opening the csv in excel. They still appear all squashed in the same column.

[AkisM]

Hi @RolandSchubert , in my advanced excel options there is a "Use System Separators" option that is checked. If I uncheck it, all I can edit is decimal separator and thousands separator. I don't see anywhere an option to find delimiter for CSVs in general.

[RolandSchubert]

Sepeators in advanced options are the thousands and decimal seperators to be used in numbers within Excel.

To change the seperator for csv files

- call Control Panel

- select "Clock, Language and Region"

- select "Region"

- select "Additional Settings"

- there is an entry "List Seperator"

This is the one used for import of csv files to Excel

[AkisM]

Hi @RolandSchubert, tried checking that, however List Separator is already set to comma.

[RolandSchubert]

I have no real clue, but one (maybe last) idea: Do you open the file using "Get data" in Excel? The default column seperator for that is a TAB, but can be changed during the import process.

[AkisM]

@RolandSchubert I have no idea what opening a file using GetData means. I just double click the file and it opens in excel.

[danilang]

Hi @AkisM 

When you say "Whenever I try a CSV output, the file comes out looking like this, all mushed up in the same column:" what program are you using to look at the data?  It it's a text editor, like notepad, then you're seeing the way that the file is actually stored.i.e.

Place,Age,Address,Description,ZIP
Ottawa,55,123 Any St.,something, 12345

If you're using Excel using Data->From CSV, Excel should be smart enough to figure out the delimiters, like this

If you're double clicking on the file and it opens in excel, or you're using "Right Click-> open with-> Excel" or you drag it on to excel, you should get the file split to columns as well. 

The exception to this seems to be if the file doesn't have a CSV extension, i.e. "sample.txt".  In this case opening it in Excel gives you all the data in one column

Can you provide us with a sample of one of your files?

Dan