How to open semicolon delimited CSV-files in US-version of Excel

Solution 1:

Add this on the first line of the CSV file:

sep=;

or

sep=,

This will override system setting ("list separator character") and Excel will open the file correctly.

Solution 2:

You can use the Text Import Wizard. This does not work on a double-click-open, but is the best I can come up with that doesn't involved messing with lanugage settings.

In Excel 2003 goto Data -> Import External Data -> Import Data on the menu bar (can't say where it is on 2007, I don't have that to hand at the moment). Find and select your CSV file.

When it opens you get the Text Import Wizard, which allows you to specify the delimiter(s) to use.

Solution 3:

See this article:
Trouble with Opening CSV Files with Excel? The Comma and Semicolon Issue in Excel due to Regional Settings for Europe

Which offers 3 solutions:

• Change the CSV file extension to TXT (when you open a TXT file with Excel it will start the text file import wizard where you can choose the delimiter)
• Replace all “,” with “;” in your CSV file(s)
• Change your regional and language settings

As you have only changed the list separator value in Windows regional settings, I note that the article says to enter “.” for Decimal Symbol and “,” for List Separator.

If you feel comfortable with VBA, then see:

Opening semicolon delimited CSV file with VBA in Excel 2000
Exporting And Import Text With Excel

Solution 4:

The best way I have tried is to set your computer regional settings as below:

• in the "Standard and Formats" choose "English (United States)";
• in the "Locations" choose "United States".

It works for me, just give it a try.