How do I import a .csv (comma delimited) file into numbers?

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Level 1

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How do I import a .csv (comma delimited) file into numbers?

I have an iMac and I workin an office with both Mac's and Windows computers. Windows excel importing process allows people to import documents with other languages properly with no weird charcter problems. When I import with excel on my mac I have character importing problems. I have heard if I use Macs Numbers it will import just fine. The problem is I cannot find an import button. I need to import my .txt files or .csv (comma delimeted) files into Numbers and edit the files. Once I edit them I need to save them as .csv files in order to import them into another program. let me know how to do this properly. Thank you!

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.1)

Posted on Feb 7, 2013 9:18 AM

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Answer 1

Feb 7, 2013 10:14 AM in response to brennahjean

Jean,

Make sure that your data files have the CSV extension. Just change the extension if necessary, then Open with Numbers. Import is automatic. You can double-click the file and if Numbers is still the default app for CSV files, the file will open. Or, Right-Click (Control-Click) and choose Open with Numbers.

Jerry

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Answer 2

ijww

Level 1

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Sep 10, 2014 12:46 PM in response to Jerrold Green1

Hi

I was successful with the following, bank files // and a membership addresslist

(-- Ensure that you have the icons of Numbers and Text edit in your Dock, makes things easier)

A) Get your Filename.csv file (...Textedit) and convert separator to tab

(It even could be sensible to "save as" from MAC-Excel. I Nearly went crazy trying to change the addresslist printing format of a PC .xls.)

Drag Filename.csv to the Textedit icon in the dock, opening it
Insert a "Tab" at the top, copy it for pasting, and delete it again right away
"Search for" - line window: Type your delimiter which could be the comma or the semicolon
"Replace" - line window: Paste in the tab you saved
Click Replace All
Menu File: "Save as" Filename.txt, do not keep the extension .csv in any way
Quit Textedit (You can check your new file by double clicking it, should now open in Textedit)

B) Get the data into numbers

Drag the Filename.txt onto the numbers icon in the dock
It should open in columns
Save as Filename (.numbers will be added by numbers)

(Possibly the program commands spell a bit differently, as mine are in German)

Good Luck

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Answer 3

SGIII

Level 8

35,276 points

Sep 10, 2014 6:31 PM in response to brennahjean

You may find this CSV to Tabs on Clipboard Automator service (Dropbox download) helpful.

Double-click the .workflow package to install in your Services menu (you may have to click 'Open Anyway' in System Preferences > Security & Privacy).

Then to use:

In Finder right-click a .csv or .txt file
Choose CSV to Tabs on Clipboard from the Services contextual menu
Respond to prompt to choose your file's separator character
Click once in a cell in an existing Numbers table
Command-v to paste

The Numbers table will expand automatically to accommodate your data.

SG

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