Data Import & Export

How to Import a Semicolon-Delimited CSV File into Excel or WPS Spreadsheet

Rana Garcia Sep 28, 2026 876 views

Question details

The user needs to correctly import a CSV file that uses semicolons as delimiters and quotation marks as text qualifiers without breaking headers or columns.

How to Import a Semicolon-Delimited CSV File into a Table

Product: WPS Spreadsheet / Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Importing external CSV data into a spreadsheet table where the default delimiter settings cause incorrect column parsing.
Observed behavior: The CSV import produces incorrect columns or headers because the program fails to recognize semicolons as delimiters and quotation marks around fields.

Before you start

Open your CSV file in a plain text editor like Notepad first to confirm that the data is separated by semicolons and check if the fields are enclosed in quotation marks.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the Data Import Wizard to Set Semicolon Delimiters

Using the built-in data import wizard allows you to manually specify the semicolon as the delimiter and quotation marks as the text qualifier, ensuring correct column structure.

Spreadsheet software often defaults to commas for CSV files. When your file relies on semicolons, bypassing the direct 'Open' method and using the Import Wizard ensures your table formats exactly as expected.

Launch the Import Data Tool

Open a blank spreadsheet, navigate to the 'Data' tab on the top ribbon, and click on 'Import Data' or 'From Text/CSV'.

Select the CSV File

Browse your computer for the semicolon-delimited CSV file you wish to import, select it, and click 'Open'.

Choose the Delimited Data Type

In the Text Import Wizard window, choose the 'Delimited' option to indicate that characters such as semicolons separate each column, then click 'Next'.

Set the Semicolon and Text Qualifier

Check the box next to 'Semicolon' under the Delimiters section. In the 'Text qualifier' drop-down menu, select the quotation mark ("). Check the data preview at the bottom to ensure columns look correct, then click 'Finish'.

Use the Data Import Wizard to Set Semicolon Delimiters

Verify Table Structure: Always verify the first three data rows below the header in the preview pane to confirm the data aligns properly before finalizing the import.

Solution 2

Use Text to Columns for an Already Opened File

If you double-clicked the CSV file and it opened with all data squeezed into a single column, you can use the Text to Columns feature to split it.

Easily Import Custom CSV Files with WPS Spreadsheet

WPS Spreadsheet features a highly intuitive Text Import Wizard that automatically detects or allows you to easily configure custom delimiters like semicolons and text qualifiers. It ensures your complex CSV data loads perfectly structured into a table with zero hassle.

1. Open WPS Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office, open a new Spreadsheet, and navigate to the 'Data' tab.
2. Import Data: Click on 'Import Data', choose 'Import External Data', and select your CSV file.
3. Configure Delimiters: Select 'Delimited', check 'Semicolon', ensure the Text qualifier is set to quotation marks, and click 'Finish' to populate your table.

Advanced Text Import Wizard for handling semicolons and text qualifiersSeamlessly compatible with Microsoft Excel CSV formats and data structuresFree, lightweight, and fast alternative for daily data processing and analysis

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my CSV opening in a single column instead of a table?

This happens when your spreadsheet software defaults to a comma delimiter, but your CSV file uses semicolons. The software fails to find commas and lumps an entire row's text into the first column. You must manually specify the semicolon delimiter during import.

What is a text qualifier in a CSV import?

A text qualifier, most commonly a quotation mark ("), tells the spreadsheet software to treat any delimiter characters (like semicolons or commas) inside those marks as regular text rather than a column break.

How can I change my computer's default CSV delimiter to a semicolon?

You can change this in your operating system's Regional Settings. By changing the default 'List separator' from a comma to a semicolon, spreadsheet programs will automatically parse semicolon-delimited CSV files into columns upon simply double-clicking the file.

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