Working with CSV files in Microsoft Excel 2019 can be a bit tricky, especially if you’re not familiar with the format. CSV stands for “Comma Separated Values,” and as the name suggests, it’s a file format that uses commas to separate data values.
Why Use CSV Files?
CSV files are incredibly useful because they can be read by almost any spreadsheet program, including Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets. Additionally, many software programs generate data in CSV format, making it easy to import into a spreadsheet for analysis.
How to Open a CSV File in Microsoft Excel 2019
If you’ve never worked with CSV files before, you might be surprised to find that when you open the file in Microsoft Excel 2019, all of the data is in a single column. This is because Excel treats every comma in the file as a new column.
In order to correctly display the data in Excel, you’ll need to follow these steps:
- Open Microsoft Excel 2019 and create a new blank workbook.
- Click on the “Data” tab at the top of the screen.
- Select “Get Data” from the options on the left-hand side, then choose “From File” and select your CSV file.
- In the “Navigator” pane, select the sheet that contains the data you want to import and click “Load.”
- Once the data is loaded, Excel will display a preview of the data. From here, you can choose to either load the data directly into a new workbook or edit the query before loading.
Formatting CSV Files in Microsoft Excel 2019
Now that you’ve successfully opened your CSV file in Microsoft Excel 2019, you’ll need to format it properly so it’s easy to read and work with. Here are some tips:
1. Set Column Widths
If your CSV file contains long strings of text, they might get cut off in Excel. To fix this, you can manually adjust the column widths in Excel to ensure that all of your data is visible. To do this, simply click and drag the column separator until the column is widened to the desired width.
2. Remove Duplicate Rows
If your CSV file contains duplicate rows, it can make it difficult to work with the data. To remove duplicate rows in Microsoft Excel 2019, follow these steps:
- Select the range of cells that contains the duplicate rows.
- Click on the “Data” tab at the top of the screen, then select “Remove Duplicates” from the options on the right-hand side.
- In the “Remove Duplicates” dialog box, select the columns that you want to check for duplicates, then click “OK.” Excel will remove any duplicate rows based on the criteria you selected.
3. Format Data as a Table
Formatting your data as a table in Microsoft Excel 2019 can make it easier to read and work with. To format your data as a table, follow these steps:
- Select the range of cells that contains your data.
- Click on the “Insert” tab at the top of the screen, then select “Table” from the options on the left-hand side.
- In the “Create Table” dialog box, make sure that the correct range is selected, then choose the formatting options you want to use for your table.
- Click “OK” to create the table.
FAQ
1. How do I edit a CSV file in Microsoft Excel 2019?
In order to edit a CSV file in Microsoft Excel 2019, you’ll first need to follow the steps outlined above to open the file and format it properly. Once you’ve done that, you can edit the data in the same way you would with any other Excel file. Simply click on the cell you want to edit and make your changes.
2. How do I save a CSV file in Microsoft Excel 2019?
To save a CSV file in Microsoft Excel 2019, follow these steps:
- Click on the “File” tab at the top of the screen and choose “Save As.”
- In the “Save As” dialog box, choose the location where you want to save the file and give it a name.
- In the “Save as type” dropdown menu, choose “CSV (Comma delimited).”
- Click “Save.” Excel will save the file in CSV format, which you can then import into other programs if needed.
Video Tutorial: How to Open and Format a CSV File in Microsoft Excel 2019
Check out this video tutorial for a step-by-step guide on how to open and format a CSV file in Microsoft Excel 2019:
Conclusion
Working with CSV files in Microsoft Excel 2019 doesn’t have to be difficult. By following these tips and tricks, you can format your data properly and make it easier to read and work with. And if you ever get stuck, just refer back to this article or the video tutorial for guidance.
