CSV files are the download format for data from MIX Market. CSV stands for 'comma-separated values'. The CSV format is recognized and understood by a wide range of computer programs and platforms and can be directly opened through Excel and other applications such as databases or statistical packages. Since CSV files use commas to separate the values, there can be problems with the formatting for some regional settings. If your computer uses the comma for decimal or list separation, the file may open in a difficult-to-read format in Excel. Here are a few tips here for anyone new to this format:
- One way to address this is to open Excel first. Then select and open (or import) the CSV file as a text file. Choose to import as a 'delimited' file (not 'fixed width'). When you are prompted to choose a 'delimiter', choose comma only. This should tell Excel to read the file as comma-delimited.
- Another way to address this is through the regional settings on your machine. The regional settings affect many applications, so we recommend only using this with care. The necessary settings can be found under the Control Panel > Regional and Language Options. There are two ways to adjust the regional and language options. One is to choose a regional setting that does not use the comma as a number or list separator. (English (United States) is a common option in this case.) The other way is to update your local settings as follows.
- Choose to 'customize' your regional setting.
- For the 'Decimal symbol' choose something other than the comma, such as a period.
- For the 'List separator' choose something other than the comma, such as a semi-colon.
With these changes in place, CSV files should be read properly by Excel. The regional settings can be changed back and forth at any time.
