'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
How to Set Excel as the Default App for Shift-JIS CSV Files
Question details
The user wants to open Shift-JIS encoded CSV files automatically in Excel by double-clicking the file, instead of having to manually use the Import or Get Data features.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Opening local Shift-JIS encoded CSV files quickly and directly from the file manager.
- Observed behavior
- Currently, the user has to go through the Import or Get Data wizard in Excel to open the Shift-JIS CSV files, but prefers the convenience of double-clicking to open them instantly.
Ensure that your Shift-JIS encoded CSV file is saved locally on your computer so you can access its properties and change the default file association.
Set Excel as the Default Application via File Explorer
By modifying the default app settings in your file manager, you can force all .csv files to open directly in Excel upon double-clicking.
This method changes the system-wide default behavior for files ending in the .csv extension. Once applied, you will no longer need to use the Get Data wizard for quick viewing, though manual importing is still recommended if encoding display issues occur.
Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder containing your Shift-JIS encoded CSV file.
Right-click on the CSV file, hover over 'Open with' in the context menu, and click on 'Choose another app'.
In the prompt that appears, select 'Excel' from the list of available applications. Check the box labeled 'Always use this app to open .csv files'.
Click 'OK'. The file will immediately open in Excel, and all future double-clicks on CSV files will automatically launch them in Excel.
Use WPS Spreadsheet as Your Default CSV Reader
WPS Office Spreadsheet provides excellent support for various data encodings, including Shift-JIS CSV files. You can easily set it as your default application to open and edit data files instantly by double-clicking.
- 1. Download and Install WPS Office: Download WPS Office Free from the official website and complete the installation on your computer.
- 2. Right-click your CSV File: Locate a Shift-JIS CSV file on your computer, right-click it, and select 'Open with' followed by 'Choose another app'.
- 3. Set WPS Spreadsheet as Default: Select WPS Spreadsheet from the list, check the 'Always use this app to open .csv files' option, and click OK.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Shift-JIS CSV file show garbled text when I double-click it in Excel?
When you double-click a CSV file, Excel attempts to open it using your system's default locale encoding. If your system locale does not match Shift-JIS (Japanese), the text will appear garbled. In these cases, you must use the 'Data' > 'Get Data' or 'From Text/CSV' import wizard to manually specify the Shift-JIS encoding.
Will changing the default CSV app affect my regular Excel workbooks?
No. Changing the default application for .csv files only affects files with the .csv extension. Your standard Excel workbooks (.xlsx or .xls) will remain unaffected and will continue to open in Excel normally.
How do I change the default app back to Notepad later?
You can change the default application at any time using the same method. Right-click any CSV file, select 'Open with' > 'Choose another app', pick Notepad, check 'Always use this app to open .csv files', and click OK.
