In today’s digital age, it is imperative to have the ability to convert different file formats. One common conversion that is needed is converting Excel files to CSV. Excel is a widely used spreadsheet software, while CSV stands for Comma Separated Values that allows data to be exported in a plain text format. The conversion can be useful when a CSV file is needed to be imported into a different program or database. In this article, we will discuss the easiest and most effective ways to convert Excel files to CSV.
Convert Excel to CSV Using Microsoft Excel
One of the easiest ways to convert Excel files to CSV is by using Microsoft Excel. The following steps will guide you through the process.
- Open the Excel file you want to convert to CSV.
- Click on the File menu and select Save As.
- In the Save As dialog box, choose the location where you want to save the CSV file.
- In the Save as type drop-down list, select CSV (Comma delimited)(*.csv).
- Click the Save button.
That’s it! You have successfully converted an Excel file to CSV using Microsoft Excel. Note that if your Excel file contains multiple sheets, only the active sheet will be saved to the CSV file. If you want to convert multiple sheets, you will need to repeat the steps for each sheet.
Convert Excel to CSV Using Microsoft Excel Online
If you don’t have Microsoft Excel installed on your computer, you can still convert Excel files to CSV by using Microsoft Excel Online. Here’s how:
- Go to the Microsoft Excel Online website.
- Click on the Upload button and select the Excel file you want to convert.
- Once the file is uploaded, click on the File menu and select Save As.
- In the Save As dialog box, choose the location where you want to save the CSV file.
- In the Save as type drop-down list, select CSV (Comma delimited)(*.csv).
- Click the Save button.
That’s it! You have successfully converted an Excel file to CSV using Microsoft Excel Online. Note that the conversion process may take longer than using Microsoft Excel, depending on the size of the Excel file and your internet connection speed.
Convert Excel to CSV Using Google Sheets
Another option to convert Excel files to CSV is by using Google Sheets. Google Sheets is a free online spreadsheet program that allows you to create and edit spreadsheets online and offline. Here’s how to convert an Excel file to CSV using Google Sheets:
- Go to the Google Sheets website and log in to your Google account.
- Click on the Blank icon to create a new sheet.
- Click on the File menu and select Import.
- In the Import dialog box, click on the Upload tab and select the Excel file you want to convert.
- Once the file is uploaded, select the sheet you want to convert to CSV.
- Click File and select Download from the drop-down menu.
- Choose Comma-separated values (.csv, current sheet) from the Export as drop-down menu and click on the Download button.
That’s it! You have successfully converted an Excel file to CSV using Google Sheets. Note that the CSV file will only contain the data from the sheet you selected, not the entire workbook.
FAQ
1. Can I convert multiple sheets in an Excel file to CSV at once?
No, you will need to repeat the steps for each sheet you want to convert. Excel only saves the active sheet to the CSV file, not the entire workbook.
2. Why do I need to convert Excel files to CSV?
There are several reasons why you might need to convert Excel files to CSV. One common reason is to import data into a different program or database that requires data to be in a plain text format. CSV files are one of the most commonly used data formats and can be easily imported into many different programs and databases.
Conclusion
Converting Excel files to CSV is a common conversion that is needed in the digital age. In this article, we have discussed the easiest and most effective ways to convert Excel files to CSV using Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Excel Online, and Google Sheets. Each of these methods is straightforward and can be completed in just a few steps. We hope that this article has been helpful, and you are now able to easily convert Excel files to CSV whenever you need to.
