How to Correctly Open Shopify Exported CSV Files in Excel
Entrepreneurship
2
min read
29 November 2024
When managing an online store on Shopify, exporting your product data into a CSV file is a common task for inventory management, data analysis, or backup purposes. However, when it comes to opening these CSV files in Microsoft Excel, many users encounter an issue with special characters not displaying correctly. This can distort data like product descriptions, names, or any field that contains non-standard characters. To overcome this, here’s a detailed guide on how to open Shopify-exported CSV files correctly in Excel.
Step 1: Prepare to Import
Begin by opening Microsoft Excel. Instead of opening the CSV file directly by double-clicking, you'll start with a blank Excel document to use the program’s import functionality. This method ensures more control over how Excel interprets the data in the CSV file.
Step 2: Initiate the Import Process
In your blank Excel workbook, navigate to the “Data” menu. This menu is typically found in the top toolbar of Excel. From there, look for the “From Text/CSV” option. This is your gateway to importing the CSV file properly.
Step 3: Select Your CSV File
A file dialog will appear prompting you to navigate to the location of your exported CSV file. Browse through your directories, select the CSV file you exported from Shopify, and then click on the “Import” button. This action will open a new dialog box in Excel, which is specifically tailored for importing CSV files.
Step 4: Set the File Origin
In the import dialog box, you will see an option labeled “File Origin.” Click on this drop-down menu and select “65001: Unicode (UTF-8).” This setting is crucial as it tells Excel to treat the CSV file as UTF-8 encoded. UTF-8 encoding supports a vast array of characters from multiple languages and will ensure that all special characters in your CSV are interpreted correctly.
Step 5: Load the Data into Excel
After setting the file origin, you can proceed to load your data. Click the “Load” button, and Excel will import the contents of your CSV file into a new worksheet. This process might take a few moments depending on the size of your CSV file.
Conclusion
By following these steps, you can ensure that all special characters in your Shopify CSV exports are displayed correctly in Excel. This method not only preserves the integrity of your data but also simplifies the process of data management and analysis. Remember, directly opening a CSV file in Excel without setting the proper encoding can lead to data corruption or loss of information, hence always use the import functionality as described above to avoid such issues.
By mastering this simple yet effective technique, you ensure that your data transitions smoothly from Shopify to Excel, maintaining its accuracy and usability for all your business needs.
With years of experience in the field, Thomas has honed his skills to create innovative and high-performing web applications.