When you use the export/import feature, SHOPLINE saves product information in CSV format that’s capable of storing a large amount of data. However, some existing Excel versions aren’t compatible with CSV files, and thus unintelligible codes may appear when you open a CSV file. You can open the CSV files in WPS (Windows, macOS) or Numbers (macOS). In addition, the following methods may help you solve the problem of unintelligible codes based on the actual situation:

If you want to know what version of Excel you are using, Check Version Number following Microsoft’s instructions.

In This Article

• Permanent Solution: Modifying the Windows System Encoding Format to UTF-8 (Applicable for Windows 10 Only)
• Modifying the CSV File Encoding Format with Notepad (Applicable for Windows Only)
• Using Excel 365, Excel 2016, and Later Versions
  
  

Permanent Solution: Modifying the Windows System Encoding Format to UTF-8 (Applicable for Windows 10 Only)

1. In Windows, click Start > Settings to open the Windows settings page:
2. Click and enter Time and languages.
   
3. Click Languages on the left.
4. Click Manage language settings on the right.
   
5. Click Change system locale.
   
6. Check Beta: Use unicode YTF-8 for worldwide language support, and click OK.
   

Modifying the CSV File Encoding Format with Notepad (Applicable for Windows Only)

1. Right-click the downloaded CSV file and select Open with Notepad.
   
2. Select File > Save as.
3. For Encoding format, select UTF-8. Don’t modify the file format suffix and leave it as “.csv”.
   
4. Open the original file with Excel.

Using Excel 365, Excel 2016, and Later Versions

Excel 365 (The Latest Version)

1. Open the downloaded CSV file with Excel and select Data > From text/CSV in the ribbon.
2. Choose the downloaded file in the local folder, and click Import.
3. Check the following options in the pop-up window:
   • Original file format: 65001: Unicode (UTF-8).
   • Separator: comma.
   • Click Load to get an Excel file free of unintelligible codes for editing.

Excel 2013 and Earlier Versions

1. Open the downloaded CSV file with Excel and select Data > From text in the ribbon.
2. Select the downloaded file in the local folder, and click Open.
3. Check the following options in the pop-up window, and click Next.
   • Check separator.
   • Original file format: 65001: Unicode (UTF-8).
4. Complete the following actions in the pop-up window, and click Next.
   • Uncheck Tab.
   • Check Comma.
5. Select Text as the column data format and click Finish to get an Excel file free of unintelligible codes for editing.