Setting Excel as the Default Program for Opening CSV Files on Windows and Mac

Microsoft Excel is a powerful tool for managing data, including CSV files.

By making Excel your default program for opening CSV files, you can simplify your workflow and open these files more quickly and efficiently.

For Windows Users:

• Right-Click Method:
  1. Locate any CSV file in Windows Explorer.
  2. Right-click the file, and select "Open with..." from the context menu.
  3. Choose "Choose another app."
  4. Under "Other options," select "Excel."
  5. Check the "Always use this app to open .csv files" box.
  6. Click "OK" to confirm.

• Windows 11 – Set .CSV File Association to Excel:
  1. Click the Start icon and select Settings
  2. Go to Apps > Default Apps
  3. In the Search for a file type box, type .csv
  4. Click the current default app listed next to .csv
  5. In the pop-up window, select Microsoft Excel from the list
  6. Click OK (or Set default, if shown) to confirm
• Windows 10 – Set .CSV File Association to Excel:
  1. Click the Start button and select Settings
  2. Go to Apps > Default apps
  3. Scroll down and click Choose default apps by file type
  4. Scroll through the list to find .csv
  5. Click the current default app shown next to .csv
  6. In the pop-up menu, select Microsoft Excel.

For Mac Users:

• Right-Click Method:
  1. Locate any CSV file on your Mac
  2. Right-click (or Control-click) the file and select "Open With" > "Microsoft Excel"
• Get Info Method:
  1. Locate a .csv  file in Finder.
  2. Right-click (or Control-click) the file and choose “Get Info.”
  3. In the “Open with:” section, choose Microsoft Excel from the dropdown list.
  4. Click “Change All…” to make Excel the default for all CSV files.
  5. Confirm when prompted.