Module
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Index 🔎︎
\<bookmark_value\>number series import\</bookmark_value\>\<bookmark_value\>data series import\</bookmark_value\>\<bookmark_value\>importing; text databases\</bookmark_value\>\<bookmark_value\>delimited values and files\</bookmark_value\>\<bookmark_value\>comma separated files and values\</bookmark_value\>\<bookmark_value\>text file import and export\</bookmark_value\>\<bookmark_value\>csv files;importing and exporting\</bookmark_value\>

# Opening and Saving Text CSV Files

Comma Separated Values (CSV) is text file format that you can use to exchange data from a database or a spreadsheet between applications. Each line in a Text CSV file represents a record in the database, or a row in a spreadsheet. Each field in a database record or cell in a spreadsheet row is usually separated by a comma. However, you can use other characters to delimit a field, such as a tabulator character.

If the content of a field or cell contains a comma, the contents of the field or cell \<emph\>must\</emph\> be enclosed by single quotes (') or double quotes (").

## To Open a Text CSV file in Calc

1. Choose \<emph\>File - Open\</emph\>.

2. Locate the CSV file that you want to open.

   If the file has a *.csv extension, select the file.

   If the CSV file has another extension, select the file, and then select "Text CSV" in the \<emph\>File type\</emph\> box

3. Click \<emph\>Open\</emph\>.

   The \<emph\>Text Import\</emph\> dialog opens.

4. Specify the options to divide the text in the file into columns.

   You can preview the layout of the imported data at the bottom of the \<emph\>Text Import\</emph\> dialog.

   Right-click a column in the preview to set the format or to hide the column.

   If the CSV file uses a text delimiter character that is not listed in the \<emph\>Text delimiter\</emph\> box, click in the box, and type the character.

5. Click \<emph\>OK\</emph\>.

## To Save a Sheet as a Text CSV File

When you export a spreadsheet to CSV format, only the data on the current sheet is saved. All other information, including formulas and formatting, is lost.

1. Open the Calc sheet that you want to save as a Text CSV file.

   Only the current sheet can be exported.

2. Choose \<emph\>File - Save as\</emph\>.

3. In the \<emph\>File name\</emph\> box, enter a name for the file.

4. In the \<emph\>File type\</emph\> box, select "Text CSV".

5. (Optional) Set the field options for the Text CSV file.

   Select \<emph\>Edit filter settings\</emph\>.

   In the \<emph\>Export of text files\</emph\> dialog, select the options that you want.

   Click \<emph\>OK\</emph\>.

6. Click \<emph\>Save\</emph\>.

Related Topics

Importing and Exporting CSV Text Files with Formulas

Importing and Exporting Data in Base

LibreOffice - Preferences Tools - Options
- LibreOffice Calc - View

Export text files

Import text files