Converting files between different formats can be a tedious task, especially when dealing with large amounts of data. However, with the right tools and know-how, it can be a breeze. In this article, we’ll discuss how to convert Excel files to PDF and CSV formats, and how to tidy up CSV files in Excel.
Convert Excel File to PDF
PDFs are a popular format for sharing documents as they are easily accessible on all devices and are not easily edited. To convert an Excel file to PDF, follow these steps:
- Open the Excel file you wish to convert to PDF.
- Click on “File” in the top left corner.
- Select “Export” from the dropdown menu.
- Select “Create PDF/XPS Document” from the options.
- Click on the “Create PDF/XPS” button.
- Choose the file name and location you wish to save the PDF to.
- Click on the “Publish” button.
That’s it! Your Excel file is now saved in PDF format.
Convert Excel File to CSV
CSV files are a popular format for sharing data between applications as they are easily read by most software. To convert an Excel file to CSV, follow these steps:
- Open the Excel file you wish to convert to CSV.
- Click on “File” in the top left corner.
- Select “Save As” from the dropdown menu.
- Choose the location and file name you wish to save the CSV as.
- Select “CSV (Comma delimited) (*.csv)” from the “Save as type” dropdown menu.
- Click on the “Save” button.
Your Excel file is now saved in CSV format. However, CSV files can sometimes be messy, with all data contained in a single column. In the next section, we’ll discuss how to tidy up CSV files in Excel.
Tidying Up CSV Files in Excel
When converting an Excel file to CSV, the resulting CSV file may not be as tidy as we’d like. All the data may be contained in a single column, making it difficult to analyze the data. Here’s how to tidy up a CSV file in Excel:
- Open the CSV file you wish to tidy up.
- Select the column with all the data.
- Click on the “Data” tab in the top menu.
- Select “Text to Columns” from the dropdown menu.
- Choose the delimiter that separates your data (e.g. comma, semicolon, tab).
- Click on the “Finish” button.
Your CSV file is now organized into columns, making it easier to analyze the data. You can also use Excel’s filtering and sorting functions to further organize the data.
FAQ
1. Can I convert a PDF file back to Excel?
Yes, you can convert a PDF file back to Excel using Adobe Acrobat or other PDF conversion software. However, the resulting Excel file may not be as accurate as the original.
2. Can I convert an Excel file to a different delimiter other than comma?
Yes, when saving an Excel file as CSV, you can choose different delimiters such as semicolon or tab. However, keep in mind that not all software may recognize these delimiters and may require the standard comma delimiter.
Conclusion
Converting files between different formats and tidying up messy data can be a time-consuming task, but with the right tools and knowledge, it can be done quickly and efficiently. We hope this article has provided you with the information you need to convert Excel files to PDF and CSV formats, as well as how to tidy up CSV files in Excel. If you have any further questions, check out the video below or reach out to us in the comments section!
