This will make Excel use a comma for the List separator (CSV delimiter): To save Excel file as CSV comma delimited, set the decimal separator to a period (dot). This will get Excel to use a semicolon for the List separator (CSV delimiter): To convert Excel file to CSV semicolon delimited, set the default decimal separator to a comma. As this will change the way decimal numbers are displayed in your worksheets, choose a different Thousands separator to avoid confusion.ĭepending on which separator you wish to use, configure the settings in one of the following ways. Under Editing options, clear the Use system separators check box.

To force it to use a different delimiter, proceed with the following steps: csv file, Excel separates values with your default List separator. To get a CSV file with another field delimiter, apply one of the approaches described below.Ĭhange separator when saving Excel file as CSV That is why the result is CSV semicolon delimited. In European countries, a comma is reserved for the decimal symbol, and the list separator is generally set to semicolon. In North America and some other countries, the default list separator is a comma, so you get CSV comma delimited. csv files, Microsoft Excel uses the List separator defined in Windows Regional settings. Changing List separator: background and consequences.Open or import CSV with different delimiter.Save Excel file as CSV with different delimiter.Don't give up! No matter how deep the setting is hidden, we'll show you a way to locate it and tweak for your needs. The setting is default, and you have no idea how to change it. Whatever CSV option you use, the result is a semicolon-delimited file instead of comma-separated you really wanted. Imagine this: you want to export your Excel data to another application, so you go save it in the CSV format supported by many programs. It thoroughly examines the system settings of the machine it's running on and does its best to anticipate the user's needs … quite often to disappointing results.

The tutorial shows how to change CSV separator when importing or exporting data to/from Excel, so you can save your file in the comma-separated values or semicolon-separated values format.Įxcel is diligent.

Convert excel to csv