Microsoft Excel Tutorial - CSV Import

A service that uses data input to perform a task often allows you to import data you have stored in a file (mdb Access database, txt text file, or csv excel file). If CSV import is an option for this service, then that means you can use any Excel file you have saved in a CSV format and use it for the CSV import.

This tutorial will show you how to create a CSV file and use it for a CSV import on a service or program that allows importing of CSV files.

1. Open Excel File with Data

You can create this data from scratch or get it from another source. All you really need is data in certain columns and rows in a way that the service you will be importing to can read it and expects to see it. As long as you make sure of that, you should be able to use the data without any problem for the CSV import.

2. Click File -> Save As

There are many options in the "Save as type" dropdown that has CSV in them. There are many versions of CSV to choose from. I would suggest choosing the plain "CSV (Comma Separated Values) option. Give the file a name and click Save.

3. Notice of Incompatible Features

You will be most likely shown a warning that tells you there are features in this Excel file that are not compatible with a CSV format (nothing but comma separated values). This can be any formatting you have done to the text or any left or right alignment, or font settings. It will get striped down just to the raw data and all of the formatting will be gone in the CSV version of the file. Click YES to acknowledge this warning and continue to save it as a CSV extension file so that you can use it later for the CSV import with your service.

4. Use Service to Import CSV.

Depending on what service you are importing the CSV to, you should be able to select from a list of options. For example Microsoft Access allows you to import data into a database from an XLS file OR a CSV file. Once you are able to locate on your service where these options for importing are, you will be able to select CSV (provided this service allows you to import CSV files).

Once this is complete, the service should be able to read in the data from that CSV file you imported and use it to perform whatever task the service is meant to perform.

You should note that CSV Export is different than CSV Import in that the Export implies you are converting data INTO a CSV file and CSV Import implies you are converting to data FROM a CSV file.