Data Import & Export

How to Import and Save UTF-8 CSV Files with Commas in Excel 2016

Aamir Naveed Akram Oct 21, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs a reliable method to import and save CSV files using UTF-8 encoding and a comma delimiter in Microsoft Excel 2016.

How to Import and Save UTF-8 CSV Files with Commas in Excel 2016

Product: Microsoft Excel 2016
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Importing or exporting CSV data for software that strictly requires a comma delimiter and UTF-8 encoding.
Observed behavior: Excel 2016 defaults to saving CSV files with semicolons instead of commas because the Windows regional settings use a comma as the decimal separator.

Before you start

Check your Windows regional settings, as Excel automatically adopts the system's default list separator when opening and saving standard CSV files.

Solution 1Recommended

Import the CSV File Using Power Query

Use the built-in Data tab to correctly specify the UTF-8 encoding and comma delimiter during the data import process.

By default, double-clicking a CSV file in Excel might format it incorrectly based on your system settings. Importing the data via Power Query ensures that you have precise control over the file origin and delimiters.

Open the Data Tab

Launch Excel 2016, open a new blank workbook, navigate to the 'Data' tab on the top ribbon, and click 'From Text/CSV' in the Get & Transform Data group.

Select Your CSV File

Locate and select the CSV file you want to open in the file explorer dialog, then click 'Import'.

Configure File Origin and Delimiter

In the preview window that appears, change the 'File Origin' dropdown to '65001: Unicode (UTF-8)'. Then, ensure the 'Delimiter' dropdown is set to 'Comma'.

Load the Data

Verify that your data columns look correct in the preview box, then click the 'Load' button to insert the properly formatted data into your worksheet.

Data Connection: This method establishes a data connection to your CSV. You can easily update your worksheet if the source CSV file changes by clicking 'Refresh All' on the Data tab.

Solution 2

Adjust Windows Regional Settings for List Separators

Change the default system list separator to a comma so Excel automatically uses it when saving standard CSV files.

Solution 3

Use a Third-Party CSV Add-in for Exporting

Use a dedicated Excel add-in or macro tool to bypass native settings and force a UTF-8 comma-delimited export.

Seamless CSV Data Handling

Easily Import and Save UTF-8 CSVs in WPS Office

WPS Spreadsheet provides a built-in Text Import Wizard that launches automatically when opening CSV files. This allows you to completely bypass complex Windows regional settings and quickly select UTF-8 encoding and comma delimiters upon opening your data.

1. Open WPS Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office and open your CSV file directly using WPS Spreadsheet.
2. Configure the Text Import Wizard: The Text Import Wizard will automatically pop up. Select 'Delimited' and choose 'Unicode (UTF-8)' from the File Origin dropdown menu.
3. Set the Delimiter: Check the 'Comma' box under the Delimiters section, preview your data to ensure it displays correctly in columns, and click 'Finish'.
4. Save as CSV: When you are done editing, go to Menu > Save As, and choose 'CSV (Comma delimited)' to preserve the formatting safely.

Bypass Windows regional settings for hassle-free CSV handlingFully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx, .xls, .csv) formatsNative text import wizard explicitly built for quick delimiter managementLightweight, free, and designed for efficient data processing

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Excel save my CSV files with semicolons instead of commas?

Excel relies on your Windows regional settings to determine the list separator. If your region (common in many European countries) uses a comma as a decimal separator, Windows changes the default list separator to a semicolon to prevent data conflicts. Excel adopts this system-wide rule when saving standard CSV files.

Can I force Excel 2016 to always save in UTF-8 format by default?

While Excel 2016 has a 'CSV UTF-8 (Comma delimited)' option in the Save As dialog, you cannot easily make it the default save format for all new spreadsheets. You must manually select this file type from the dropdown menu each time you click Save As.

Does changing the Windows list separator affect other applications?

Yes. The Windows list separator is a system-wide setting applied via the Control Panel. Changing it from a semicolon to a comma will affect how other programs on your computer format lists, generate reports, or parse separated data.

How do I export a specific delimiter without changing system settings?

To avoid altering Windows settings, you can either use a specialized Excel CSV add-in, build a custom VBA macro to output the data, or use alternative software like WPS Office which provides independent delimiter controls during the save and import processes.

Excel & Data Problems