Ask a new question

Excel for Mac - Permanently change Text Imp Wizard default delimiter for CSV from SPACE or TAB to COMMA?

Every month, I have to import up to 20 csv files in to Excel on my Mac. I usually copy the content of the file to the clipboard then from the Excel toolbar, Paste->Use Text Import Wizard because it is right there in the toolbar.

For every file, I have to change the delimiter setting - deselect Space then select Comma.  It's only two clicks but for some reason, it annoys me intensely.

If I use File->Import and choose the (default) CSV file setting, it defaults to TAB, so either way, I have to change it.

This question - how to permanently set the default separator for CSV - must have been asked thousands of times, and I can see answers for Windows, answers for Excel 2008, but no answers for Excel 365 on Mac.

Can I change the default column separator for the Text Import Wizard for Comma Separated Values files to actually be a comma?

Mac OS is Mojave 10.14.6

Excel for Mac is 16.46

Thanks for your help,

Russ

Answer
Answer

Hi


If the csv file you receive is consistent in columns and format each time, you might find it worthwhile to record a macro while using the File > Open import wizard. Then you can simply run the macro and apply all the settings you need instantly.

Be sure to include the version number and OS version when asking your question.

1 person found this reply helpful

·

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

Answer
Answer

Are you opening the .csv in a different program just so you can copy/paste? Have you tried simply using File> Open rather than File> Import or pasting with the import wizard? If that presents a problem you might give this a try:

  1. Right-click any .csv & select Get Info

  2. In the Get Info dialog select Excel as the default Open with program

  3. Click the Change All button & Confirm

When you receive a .csv just double-click it or use File> Open. Although there are some exceptions due to broad standards for the .csv file type most will open straight up in Excel bypassing the import wizard.

***********
AI: Artificial Intelligence or Automated Idiocy???

Few tools work well if you don’t learn to use them.

"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing." - Alexander Pope

Regards,
Bob J.

2 people found this reply helpful

·

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

 
 

Question Info

Last updated October 2, 2023 Views 1,792 Applies to: