Exporting to csv no quotes around fields

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Level 1

15 points

Exporting to csv no quotes around fields

Hi,

I'm trying to convert a numbers spreadsheet into a CSV so I can re-import it back into our system, the only problem is our system requires the data to be in quotes, for example

"Customer" , "Town" , "Postcode"

But when I export from numbers to a CSV I get

Customer , town , postcode

I've also tried using excel for Mac and saving as a CSV but the same issue occurs.

If anyone could shed some light on how to include the quotes it would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Matt

MacBook Pro with Retina display, macOS High Sierra (10.13.2), null

Posted on Jan 19, 2018 3:26 PM

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Answer 1

Barry

Level 9

60,035 points

Jan 19, 2018 4:34 PM in response to Shwmae

Hi Matt,

Curiosity compels me to ask what are the usual sources (ie. applications) of CSV files coming to '(y)our system' that are enclosing all data items in double quotes?

You could try:

Open the CSV file in Text Editor.

Enter a " before the first data item in the file and a second " after the last item in the file.

Do two Find / Replace All passes:

Find: , Replace with: ","
Find: (return) Replace with "(return)"
- select text from the end of one line to the beginning of the next (do not include any visible characters from either line—you want only the non-visible carriage return or line feed character at the end of the first line)
- Copy
- (clear the Find box) Paste
- in the Replace with box, type " then Paste then type "

Note that the first pass will replace ALL commas in the file, including any that are used as the period separator in large numbers or as the decimal separator in numbers with a decimal part.

Regards,

Barry

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