How to Convert Excel to CSV

Converting Excel to CSV is a simple process that can be done in just a few steps. CSV, which stands for Comma Separated Value, is a common file format used to store data. Excel, on the other hand, is a powerful application used to analyze and manipulate data. While both formats have their pros and cons, sometimes you may need to convert Excel files to CSV. This could be for compatibility issues, storage purposes, or because you need to import your data into another application that only supports CSV files.

Check Your Excel Data

Before converting your Excel file to CSV, it’s important to check your data to ensure it’s structured correctly. Make sure your data is in a table format with headers, and that there are no empty rows or columns. This will make the conversion process smoother and ensure that your data is imported correctly into the CSV file.

Save Your Excel File as CSV

The easiest way to convert an Excel file to CSV is to simply save the file in CSV format. To do this, open your Excel file and navigate to the “File” tab. Select “Save As” and choose “CSV (Comma delimited)” as the file type. Give your file a name and click “Save”. Your Excel file is now in CSV format!

Save a Selection of Cells as CSV

If you only need to convert a selection of cells to CSV, you can do so by highlighting the cells you want to save and following the same steps as above. However, instead of choosing “Workbook” as the save type, choose “Selection” to save only the selected cells as a CSV file.

Use a Converter Tool

If you don’t have access to Microsoft Excel, or if you have a large Excel file with multiple sheets and you only want to convert one sheet to CSV, you can use an online converter tool. Simply upload your Excel file to the converter tool and select the sheet you want to convert. The tool will then generate a CSV file for you to download.

Convert Multiple Sheets to CSV

If you have a large Excel file with multiple sheets and you need to convert all sheets to CSV, you can use a VBA macro in Excel. To do this, press “Alt + F11” to open the VBA editor, select “Insert” and choose “Module”. Copy and paste the following code:

Sub SaveWorksheetsAsCsv()Dim WS As Excel.WorksheetDim SaveToDirectory As String SaveToDirectory = "C:\Temp\" 'Change this to your folder path For Each WS In ThisWorkbook.Worksheets WS.SaveAs SaveToDirectory & WS.Name, xlCSVNext End Sub

Replace “C:\Temp\” with the path to the folder where you want to save your CSV files. Then, run the macro and all sheets in your Excel file will be saved as CSV files in the specified folder.

CSV vs Excel – Which is Better?

Both CSV and Excel have their own advantages and disadvantages. Excel is a powerful application that allows you to analyze and manipulate data in many ways. It can handle more complex data than CSV, such as formulas, graphs, and charts. However, Excel files can be larger and can cause compatibility issues with other applications. CSV, on the other hand, is a simple and lightweight file format that can be easily read by other programs. It’s ideal for storing large amounts of data, especially text-based data. However, CSV files cannot handle complex data such as formulas and graphs.

When to Use CSV and Excel

So when should you use CSV and when should you use Excel? If you’re dealing with large amounts of text-based data that doesn’t require any complex manipulation, CSV is the way to go. It’s also a good option if you need to import your data into another application that only supports CSV files. However, if you need to perform analysis on your data or require complex formulas and charts, Excel is better suited for the job.

Converting Excel files to CSV is a simple process that can be done in just a few steps. Whether you need to convert your files for compatibility purposes, storage purposes, or because you need to import your data into another application that only supports CSV files, this guide provides step-by-step directions to help you get the job done.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions related to converting Excel to CSV:

Can I convert an Excel file with multiple sheets to CSV?

Yes. If you want to convert an Excel file with multiple sheets to CSV, you can use a VBA macro or an online converter tool. If you choose to use a VBA macro, simply copy and paste the code provided in this guide, and modify the folder path to your desired folder. Alternatively, you can use an online converter tool and select the sheet or sheets you want to convert.

What if I don’t have Microsoft Excel?

You can use an online converter tool to convert your Excel file to CSV. Simply upload your Excel file to the converter tool and select the sheet or sheets you want to convert. The tool will then generate a CSV file for you to download.

Will converting to CSV affect my data?

No. Converting your Excel file to CSV will not affect your data. The only difference is that the file format will change. Your data will remain the same.

Can I convert a selection of cells to CSV?

Yes. You can convert a selection of cells to CSV by highlighting the cells you want to save and following the same steps as saving an entire Excel file as CSV. However, instead of saving the entire workbook, select “Selection” to save only the selected cells as a CSV file.

Are there any drawbacks to using CSV?

While CSV is a simple and lightweight file format, it cannot handle complex data such as formulas, graphs, and charts. If you need to perform analysis on your data or require complex formulas and charts, Excel is better suited for the job.