How to Import and Export Text Files

Text files are a simple way to move data between programs. There are two common types: comma-separated (.csv) and tab-delimited (.txt).

Export from Excel

1. Open the workbook.

2. Click File > Save As > Browse.

   

3. Under Save as type, choose Text (Tab delimited). For a CSV file, choose CSV UTF-8 (Comma delimited) instead.

   

4. Click Save.

Result: a tab-delimited text file.

Note: Text files save only the active sheet, and only values. Formulas, formatting and other sheets are lost, so keep your original .xlsx file too.

Import into Excel

1. Click File > Open > Browse.

   

2. Go to the file’s folder and choose Text Files from the file type list.

   

3. Select your file (here, ExcelMine- Tab delimited) and click Open.

4. In the Text Import Wizard, choose Delimited and click Next.

   

5. Tick Tab, untick the other delimiters, and click Next.

   

6. Click Finish.

   

Result: the data from the text file is in Excel, one value per cell.

Using Microsoft 365? You can also use Data > From Text/CSV. It shows a preview and detects the delimiter for you.