How to Convert Excel to a Pipe Delimited Text File

This tutorial will demonstrate how to convert an Excel file to a pipe-delimited text file.

 

convert to pipe intro

 

Changing the Default Delimiter in Regional Settings

  1. In the Control Panel of your computer, adjust the view to View by Large Icons, and then select Region.

 

convert to pipe controlpanel

 

  1. Select Additional Settings.

 

ConvertToPipe Region

 

  1. Change the List separator to a pipe character. The pipe character is found above the ENTER key on the keyboard (SHIFT + \). Click OK.

 

ConvertToPipe CustomiseSettings

 

Save an Excel File as a Pipe Delimited Text File

  1. Open the Excel file to be saved as a pipe delimited file.
  2. In the Ribbon, select File > Save As.

 

convert to pipe save as

 

  1. In the drop down list to the left of the Save button, amend the file type to CSV and then click Save.

 

ConvertToPipe SaveAsCSV

 

  1. To view the pipe data file, open Windows Explorer in the location of your file.

 

converttopipe windows explorer

 

  1. Right-click on the file, and select Open with > Notepad.

 

converttopipe openwith notepad

 

The file will be displayed in Notepad.

 

converttopipe show data

 

Note: Make sure you change your list delimiter back to a comma if required!