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I have lines of data in a text file where each entry is separated by tab. I want them in different columns and each line to form a separate row in Excel.

I tried using Data > Import but it all comes in on single column. Is there a way to do this ?

bertieb
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user379777
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  • have you tried to replace tabs with commas and then import, i think `.csv` files are built that way, you can find & replace with **ctrl+h** in `notepad` –  Oct 15 '14 at 05:49
  • I've just tested tab separated import and it works just fine. Could you provide data sample perhaps? – Enis P. Aginić Oct 15 '14 at 05:53
  • Is it actually a 'tab' character or single spaces separating the data? – Robotnik Oct 15 '14 at 13:54
  • possible duplicate of [Easiest way to open CSV with commas in Excel](http://superuser.com/questions/407082/easiest-way-to-open-csv-with-commas-in-excel) – Rowland Shaw Oct 20 '14 at 15:58

3 Answers3

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Select all of the data, paste into excel and then use the 'text import wizard' from the dropdown. Use the 'delimited' data type with tab separators and you should be set.

Also please add full information in future questions (version of excel, etc.).

cpt_fink
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Go to the Data tab and select text to columns under data tools then select delimited and hit next. Then select Tab [or] Space1 as the delimiter and hit finish

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1You may need to check treat consecutive delimiters as one

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Community
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Raystafarian
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1

If I recall, Excel will ask when you open a specific file to specify the column delimiter if you OPEN the file as a .txt or .csv file.

mdpc
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