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I have a csv file (comma delimited and quoted). When csv file is opened directly from explorer excel correctly interprets the cells that are mutliline, but it messes up the character encoding (utf-8).

Therefore I have to use import function (Data/Get External Data/From Text). However, when I use import text function in excel (where I can set file encoding explicitly) it interprets the newline as start of the new row instead of putting multiline text into a single cell and breaks the file layout.

Can I somehow overcome the situation by either

  • forcing the explorer open command to use 65001: Unicode (UTF-8) encoding
  • forcing the Text Import Wizard to ignore quoted line breaks as record delimiters
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Have you tried importing into Access? Access give more options into importing text than Excel, making it a more favorable tool for CSV files. – surfasb Aug 5 '11 at 16:28
@surfasb, I will try, but ultimately that is not an option. I am looking for a solution from with existing excel functionality. – Unreason Aug 5 '11 at 16:31
Exporting Access to Excel is a trivial step. Formatting your text is the number one priority. – surfasb Aug 5 '11 at 16:50
Can not install access on the computer that I need to use to do this. – Unreason Aug 5 '11 at 23:47
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I guess I should post this as an answer instead.

Have you tried importing into Access? Access give more options into importing text than Excel, making it a more favorable tool for CSV files.

@surfasb, I will try, but ultimately that is not an option. I am looking for a solution from with existing excel functionality.

Exporting Access to Excel is a trivial step. Formatting your text is the number one priority.

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