Data Import & Export

How to Import CSV Files with the Correct Delimiter and Locale in Excel

John Wilson Oct 13, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to properly import international CSV files into Excel so that delimiters, decimal separators, and thousands separators are accurately recognized according to their specific locale.

How to Import CSV Files with the Correct Delimiter and Locale in Excel

Product: Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Importing CSV data generated in different countries or under varying regional settings into a local spreadsheet.
Observed behavior: Excel incorrectly interprets imported values, bunching data into single columns or misreading numbers and dates, due to mismatched regional settings and delimiters.

Before you start

Check the original source of your CSV file (e.g., by opening it briefly in Notepad) to confirm which character (comma, semicolon, or tab) is used as the delimiter, and whether it uses a period or comma for decimal values.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Excel's Data Import Wizard (From Text/CSV)

This is the most straightforward method to import a CSV file and manually select the correct delimiter before loading the data.

Instead of double-clicking the CSV file to open it directly, using the Data tab allows you to preview and adjust how Excel parses the text.

Open the Import Tool

Open a blank workbook in Excel. Go to the 'Data' tab on the ribbon and click on 'From Text/CSV'.

Select the CSV File

Browse your computer for the CSV file you wish to import, select it, and click 'Import'.

Choose the Correct Delimiter

A preview window will appear. Click the 'Delimiter' dropdown menu and select the character your file uses (e.g., Comma, Semicolon, or Tab). The preview will update to show the separated columns.

Load the Data

Once the data in the preview looks correct, click the 'Load' button to import the data into your Excel worksheet.

Use Excel's Data Import Wizard (From Text/CSV)

Quick Check: If your columns look perfectly aligned in the preview window, you have selected the correct delimiter.

Solution 2

Configure Locale Settings in Power Query

Ideal for recurring imports where specific regional decimal, date, and thousands separators need to be consistently applied.

WPS Office Data Import

Import CSV Files Seamlessly with WPS Office

WPS Spreadsheet offers an intuitive Data Import wizard that makes it incredibly easy to define custom delimiters, handle various text encodings, and manage locale-specific number formats without complex configurations.

1. Launch WPS Spreadsheet: Open WPS Office, create a new spreadsheet, and navigate to the 'Data' tab on the top ribbon.
2. Start the Import Wizard: Click on 'Import Data' and select 'Import Data' again to launch the Text Import Wizard.
3. Select and Configure File: Choose your CSV file, select 'Delimited' as the data type, and proceed to the next step.
4. Set Delimiters and Finish: Check the box for your specific delimiter (like Comma or Semicolon), preview the column layout, and click 'Finish' to successfully load your data.

Easily identify and adjust CSV delimiters (comma, space, semicolon, or custom).Highly compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx, .xls, .csv) formats.Lightweight and quick to process large dataset imports.Free and fully featured alternative for your daily data management.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Excel put all my CSV data into one single column?

This happens when your computer's regional settings use a different default list separator than the one used in your CSV file. For example, if your CSV uses a comma but your system expects a semicolon, Excel won't split the data automatically. Use the 'From Text/CSV' import tool to manually specify the correct delimiter.

How can I fix dates that import incorrectly from a foreign CSV?

Dates often get mixed up due to differing formats (e.g., US MM/DD/YYYY vs. EU DD/MM/YYYY). When importing the file via Power Query (by clicking 'Transform Data'), right-click the date column, select 'Change Type' > 'Using Locale', and choose the region that corresponds to the file's origin.

Can I change my default delimiter for Excel in Windows?

Yes. You can change the default list separator in Windows by going to Control Panel > Clock and Region > Region > Additional settings. Change the 'List separator' character to match your preferred CSV delimiter. This allows Excel to open CSV files correctly when you double-click them.

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