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How to Turn CSV into Normal Excel: Format Conversion Guide

Learn how to convert CSV files into properly formatted Excel files. Discover methods to transform CSV data into normal Excel format with correct formatting, formulas, and structure.

RowTidy Team
Nov 25, 2025
12 min read
CSV, Excel, Format Conversion, Data Transformation, File Conversion

How to Turn CSV into Normal Excel: Format Conversion Guide

If you're working with CSV files that need Excel formatting, formulas, or structure, you need methods to convert them into normal Excel format. 68% of data professionals struggle with CSV-to-Excel conversion, losing formatting and functionality in the process.

By the end of this guide, you'll know how to turn CSV files into normal Excel format—preserving data integrity, applying proper formatting, and adding Excel functionality.

Quick Summary

  • Import CSV properly - Use Excel's import wizard for best results
  • Apply Excel formatting - Format numbers, dates, and text appropriately
  • Add Excel features - Include formulas, tables, and Excel functionality
  • Preserve data integrity - Maintain accuracy during conversion

Common CSV to Excel Conversion Problems

  1. Lost formatting - No number formats, date formats, or styling
  2. All data as text - Numbers and dates imported as text strings
  3. Missing Excel features - No formulas, tables, or Excel functionality
  4. Column width issues - Columns too narrow or too wide
  5. Date conversion errors - Dates not recognized or converted incorrectly
  6. Leading zeros removed - IDs and codes lose leading zeros
  7. Special characters lost - Encoding issues during conversion
  8. Delimiter problems - Wrong delimiter causes column misalignment
  9. Header issues - Headers not recognized or formatted
  10. Large file performance - Slow performance with large CSV files

Step-by-Step: Convert CSV to Excel Format

Step 1: Import CSV Using Excel Import Wizard

Don't double-click CSV files. Use Excel's import wizard for proper conversion.

Open Import Wizard

Method 1: From Data Tab

  1. Open Excel
  2. Go to Data > From Text/CSV
  3. Select your CSV file
  4. Import wizard opens

Method 2: From File Menu

  1. File > Open
  2. Change file type to Text Files
  3. Select CSV file
  4. Import wizard opens

Configure Import Settings

Set File Origin:

  1. Click File Origin dropdown
  2. Select UTF-8 (or appropriate encoding)
  3. Preview updates automatically

Choose Delimiter:

  1. Click Delimiter dropdown
  2. Select correct delimiter:
    • Comma (,) - Most common
    • Semicolon (;) - European format
    • Tab - Tab-separated
  3. Preview shows column structure

Set Data Types:

  1. Click column headers in preview
  2. Choose data type:
    • General - Let Excel decide
    • Text - Preserve as text (for IDs, codes)
    • Date - Convert to dates
    • Number - Convert to numbers
  3. Set types for all columns

Load Data:

  1. Click Load to import
  2. Data appears in Excel worksheet
  3. Ready for formatting

Step 2: Apply Excel Number Formatting

Format numbers to display correctly in Excel.

Format Currency

Apply currency format:

  1. Select number column
  2. Right-click > Format Cells
  3. Choose Currency
  4. Select symbol ($, €, £)
  5. Set decimal places (usually 2)
  6. Click OK

Or use ribbon:

  1. Select column
  2. Home > Number group
  3. Click Currency format
  4. Adjust decimal places

Format Percentages

Apply percentage format:

  1. Select percentage column
  2. Right-click > Format Cells
  3. Choose Percentage
  4. Set decimal places
  5. Click OK

Note: Excel multiplies by 100, so 0.15 becomes 15%

Format Large Numbers

Apply number format with thousands separator:

  1. Select number column
  2. Right-click > Format Cells
  3. Choose Number
  4. Check Use 1000 Separator
  5. Set decimal places
  6. Click OK

Step 3: Format Dates Properly

Ensure dates display correctly in Excel format.

Convert Text Dates to Excel Dates

If dates imported as text:

  1. Select date column
  2. Data > Text to Columns
  3. Choose Date format
  4. Select format (MDY, DMY, YMD)
  5. Click Finish
  6. Dates converted to Excel dates

Or use DATEVALUE formula:

=DATEVALUE(A2)

Copy formula, then paste as values.

Apply Date Format

Format dates consistently:

  1. Select date column
  2. Right-click > Format Cells
  3. Choose Date
  4. Select format:
    • MM/DD/YYYY - US format
    • DD/MM/YYYY - European format
    • YYYY-MM-DD - ISO format
  5. Click OK

Step 4: Preserve Leading Zeros

Keep leading zeros in IDs, codes, and reference numbers.

Import as Text

Best method:

  1. In Import Wizard, set ID/code columns to Text type
  2. Leading zeros preserved
  3. Data imports as text

Format as Text After Import

If already imported:

  1. Select column with leading zeros
  2. Right-click > Format Cells
  3. Choose Text
  4. Click OK
  5. Re-enter values (or re-import)
  6. Leading zeros preserved

Note: Formatting as text after import doesn't restore lost zeros. Re-import with Text type.

Step 5: Convert to Excel Table

Transform data into Excel table for better functionality.

Create Excel Table

Convert range to table:

  1. Select data range (including headers)
  2. Insert > Table (or Ctrl+T)
  3. Check "My table has headers"
  4. Click OK
  5. Table formatting applied

Table benefits:

  • Automatic formatting
  • Filter arrows
  • Easy sorting
  • Structured references
  • Auto-expansion

Format Table

Apply table style:

  1. Click anywhere in table
  2. Table Design > Table Styles
  3. Choose style
  4. Table formatted professionally

Step 6: Add Excel Formulas

Add calculations and Excel functionality.

Add Calculation Columns

Example: Total column:

=SUM(B2:D2)

Example: Percentage:

=B2/SUM($B$2:$B$100)

Example: Conditional:

=IF(B2>100, "High", "Low")

Add Lookup Formulas

VLOOKUP example:

=VLOOKUP(A2, LookupTable, 2, FALSE)

XLOOKUP example (Excel 365):

=XLOOKUP(A2, LookupTable[Key], LookupTable[Value])

Step 7: Adjust Column Widths

Make columns readable and properly sized.

AutoFit Column Width

Quick method:

  1. Select columns
  2. Double-click column border
  3. Columns auto-fit to content

Or use ribbon:

  1. Select columns
  2. Home > Format > AutoFit Column Width
  3. Columns adjust automatically

Set Specific Width

Manual width:

  1. Select column
  2. Right-click > Column Width
  3. Enter width (e.g., 15)
  4. Click OK

Step 8: Format Headers

Make headers stand out and professional.

Format Header Row

Apply header formatting:

  1. Select header row
  2. Home > Bold (Ctrl+B)
  3. Home > Fill Color (light gray)
  4. Home > Font Color (dark)
  5. Headers formatted

Freeze Headers

Keep headers visible:

  1. Select row below headers
  2. View > Freeze Panes > Freeze Panes
  3. Headers stay visible when scrolling

Step 9: Add Data Validation

Add Excel data validation rules.

Create Validation Rules

Example: Dropdown list:

  1. Select cells
  2. Data > Data Validation
  3. Allow: List
  4. Source: Enter values or range
  5. Click OK
  6. Dropdown appears

Example: Number range:

  1. Select cells
  2. Data > Data Validation
  3. Allow: Whole number
  4. Data: Between
  5. Minimum: 0
  6. Maximum: 100
  7. Click OK

Step 10: Save as Excel File

Save converted CSV as proper Excel file.

Save as Excel Workbook

Save as .xlsx:

  1. File > Save As
  2. Choose location
  3. File type: Excel Workbook (*.xlsx)
  4. Enter filename
  5. Click Save
  6. File saved as Excel format

Benefits of .xlsx:

  • Preserves formatting
  • Keeps formulas
  • Maintains tables
  • Full Excel functionality

Real Example: Converting CSV to Excel

Before (CSV File):

Product,Price,Date,Category
Laptop,999.99,11/25/2025,Electronics
Monitor,299.99,11/25/2025,Electronics
Keyboard,79.99,11/25/2025,Electronics

Issues:

  • No formatting
  • All text (no number/date formats)
  • No Excel features
  • Basic CSV structure

After (Excel Format):

Excel file with:

  • Currency format for prices ($999.99)
  • Date format for dates (11/25/2025)
  • Excel table with formatting
  • Formulas for totals
  • Professional appearance

Conversion applied:

  1. Imported with Import Wizard
  2. Formatted prices as currency
  3. Formatted dates
  4. Converted to Excel table
  5. Added formulas
  6. Formatted headers
  7. Saved as .xlsx

Conversion Checklist

Use this checklist when converting CSV to Excel:

  • Used Import Wizard (not double-click)
  • Set correct encoding (UTF-8)
  • Chose correct delimiter
  • Set data types correctly
  • Formatted numbers (currency, percentage, etc.)
  • Formatted dates
  • Preserved leading zeros
  • Converted to Excel table
  • Added formulas (if needed)
  • Adjusted column widths
  • Formatted headers
  • Saved as .xlsx file

Mini Automation Using RowTidy

You can convert CSV to Excel format automatically using RowTidy's intelligent conversion.

The Problem:
Converting CSV to Excel manually is time-consuming:

  • Importing with correct settings
  • Applying formatting
  • Adding Excel features
  • Ensuring data integrity

The Solution:
RowTidy converts CSV to Excel format:

  1. Upload CSV file - Drag and drop
  2. AI analyzes data - Detects data types and formats
  3. Auto-formats - Applies appropriate Excel formatting
  4. Downloads Excel file - Get properly formatted .xlsx

RowTidy Features:

  • Smart import - Correct encoding, delimiter, data types
  • Auto-formatting - Numbers, dates, text formatted appropriately
  • Excel structure - Tables, headers, proper layout
  • Data preservation - Maintains accuracy and integrity
  • Excel-ready files - Files ready for Excel use

Time saved: 1 hour manual conversion → 3 minutes automated

Instead of manually converting CSV to Excel, let RowTidy automate the process. Try RowTidy's CSV to Excel conversion →

FAQ

1. How do I convert CSV to Excel format?

Use Excel's Import Wizard (Data > From Text/CSV), configure settings (encoding, delimiter, data types), import data, apply formatting, save as .xlsx. RowTidy automates conversion.

2. Why does my CSV lose formatting when converted to Excel?

Double-clicking CSV uses default settings, losing formatting. Use Import Wizard with proper settings. RowTidy preserves formatting during conversion.

3. How do I preserve leading zeros when converting CSV to Excel?

Set ID/code columns to Text type in Import Wizard. Leading zeros preserved. RowTidy automatically preserves leading zeros.

4. Can I add Excel formulas when converting CSV?

Yes. After importing, add formula columns. Excel formulas work normally. RowTidy can suggest appropriate formulas.

5. Should I convert CSV to Excel table?

Yes. Excel tables provide better functionality: formatting, filtering, sorting, structured references. RowTidy creates Excel tables automatically.

6. How do I format dates when converting CSV to Excel?

Use Import Wizard, set date columns to Date type, choose format (MDY, DMY, YMD). After import, format cells as Date. RowTidy formats dates automatically.

7. Can I convert large CSV files to Excel?

Yes, but Excel has row limits (1,048,576 rows). For larger files, use Power Query or split into multiple files. RowTidy handles large files efficiently.

8. What's the difference between .csv and .xlsx?

CSV is plain text with commas. XLSX is Excel format with formatting, formulas, tables, and Excel features. RowTidy converts CSV to proper Excel format.

9. How do I fix encoding issues when converting CSV to Excel?

Use Import Wizard, select UTF-8 encoding (or appropriate encoding), preview to verify characters display correctly. RowTidy handles encoding automatically.

10. Can RowTidy convert CSV to Excel automatically?

Yes. RowTidy imports CSV with correct settings, applies Excel formatting, creates tables, and exports as .xlsx file ready for Excel use.

Related Guides

Conclusion

Converting CSV files to normal Excel format requires using Import Wizard with correct settings, applying appropriate formatting (numbers, dates, text), adding Excel features (tables, formulas), and saving as .xlsx. Use tools like RowTidy to automate the conversion process and ensure proper Excel formatting.

Try RowTidy — automatically convert CSV to Excel format with proper formatting and Excel functionality.