\<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 Filter 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

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 Filter 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\>.