Title: Import from CSV
Last modified: June 16, 2017

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# Import from CSV

 *  Resolved [bodypainter](https://wordpress.org/support/users/bodypainter/)
 * (@bodypainter)
 * [9 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/import-from-csv-7/)
 * Hi,
 * Thanks for creating this extensive guestbook plugin!
    I have a guestbook on an
   old website that I’m trying to import into WordPress. I’ve cleaned up all the
   data and turned it into an Excel and CSV file, so that all fields are nicely 
   separated as columns. However, when I export the file as a CSV it uses semi-colons;
   which I suspect is what interferes with the import function. I’ve tried to conform
   exactly with the format that I believe you’re using to import/export (id,author_name,
   author_email,author_origin,author_website,author_ip,author_host,content,datetime,
   isspam,ischecked,istrash,admin_reply), but nevertheless am getting an error that
   the CSV file cannot be imported.
 * I imagine that I could replace all my semi-colons in my guestbook by commas, 
   which might do the trick, but given that many of the commenters have used commas
   in the content of their message, this will result in a messy outcome.
    Is there
   anyway to adjust the import function for it to recognize semi-colons as delimiters
   in the CSV file?
 * Many thanks!

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)

 *  Plugin Author [Marcel Pol](https://wordpress.org/support/users/mpol/)
 * (@mpol)
 * [9 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/import-from-csv-7/#post-9234222)
 * I assume you are using Excell. In my experience Libreoffice Calc has better support
   for CSV files. You might try your luck there.
    You can set to export with a comma.
   It should also put quotes around the fields, so the commas inside the content
   should not interfere.
 * Also make sure the file is in UTF-8 without BOM, and you have UNIX line endings.
   Yes, the importer is picky 🙂
 *  Thread Starter [bodypainter](https://wordpress.org/support/users/bodypainter/)
 * (@bodypainter)
 * [9 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/import-from-csv-7/#post-9234440)
 * Thank you for your prompt response!
 * I indeed was able to export with the right settings using LibreOffice Calc, using
   commas and quotation marks, and then import it into the guestbook. Thanks for
   the tip!
 *  [tryffon](https://wordpress.org/support/users/tryffon/)
 * (@tryffon)
 * [9 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/import-from-csv-7/#post-9292486)
 * Hi,
 * I don’t manage to import à .csv file from Excel ?
    It’s an exportation from gwolle
   Guestbook but I can’t import it after ? Could you help me ?
 *  Plugin Author [Marcel Pol](https://wordpress.org/support/users/mpol/)
 * (@mpol)
 * [9 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/import-from-csv-7/#post-9294406)
 * If you edited it with Excel, it might give problems. I don’t think Excel is really
   good software for CSV files. You might be better off with LibreOffice Calc.
 * What error do you get?
 * Make sure the CSV uses real commas for separating the fields, and double quotes
   for encapsulation. Depending on your locale, Excel might do funky things.
    Also
   make sure to have the file encoding in UTF-8 without BOM. And use Unix line-endings
   to finish it off. 🙂 A decent text editor like Notepad++ will have options for
   that.

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)

The topic ‘Import from CSV’ is closed to new replies.

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## Tags

 * [csv](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/csv/)
 * [Import](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/import/)

 * 4 replies
 * 3 participants
 * Last reply from: [Marcel Pol](https://wordpress.org/support/users/mpol/)
 * Last activity: [9 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/import-from-csv-7/#post-9294406)
 * Status: resolved