## How do I open a CSV file (Windows)?

Use this guide to open any CSV without any problems and also to use the optilyz Mailing List.

Using the column filters, for example, empty records/contents can be found and each column and record can be checked. Detailed information about the optilyz Mailing List can be found in [this article](https://help.optilyz.com/en/support/solutions/articles/43000658119-checking-the-quality-of-the-data-set-using-the-optilyz-mailing-list).

**Step 1**  
To open a CSV file correctly, first open Excel and create a blank workbook.

**Step 2**  
Select “Data“ in the ribbon.

**Step 3**  
Click on “Get Data“ > "From file" > "From Text/CSV" in the ribbon.

**Step 4**  
Select the file you want to open.

**Step 5**  
In the newly opened window select the file origin and delimiter: in order for all special characters to be displayed correctly and the data be separated, as shown in the pictures below (for a “recipients” file the file origin is “65001: Unicode (UTF-8)” and “Comma” as delimiter).

"Load" and done!

**False file origin & delimiter:**

**Correct file origin & delimiter:**

**Note: If the volume of data is high, it may take a little longer to open.**

**Alternatives**  
You can easily open CSV files with other programs. For example, a Google spreadsheet (new spreadsheet > import > search file > import > ready) or free providers such as [Moderncsv.com](https://www.moderncsv.com/) are also suitable.