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downloading csv files to save as excel files

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  • Last reply by tkirl

tkirl
tkirl
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Late last week, something changed in Firefox browser. I used to download csv files and Firefox would open them with the option to save as an excel file. Now it does not. I have to save it as csv then convert it to excel. It also doesn't seem to save my settings on the website I'm downloading from - I always have to manipulate the settings before downloading. It is a huge headache and I have resorted to using Chrome instead.

Late last week, something changed in Firefox browser. I used to download csv files and Firefox would open them with the option to save as an excel file. Now it does not. I have to save it as csv then convert it to excel. It also doesn't seem to save my settings on the website I'm downloading from - I always have to manipulate the settings before downloading. It is a huge headache and I have resorted to using Chrome instead.

Chosen solution

Hi, Firefox changed its standard behavior from "open automatically" or "ask what to do" to "save file." In most cases, there is a fairly quick fix, so let's check for that possibility:

(1) You can try changing the behavior for CSV files on the Applications list on the Settings page. This article has the steps:

Manage file types and download actions in Firefox

(2) If CSV is not listed there, try this first: open the Downloads list, right-click the file, and choose Always Open Similar Files.

Firefox then should add CSV to the Applications list with a "Use Excel" action. You can use the steps in the previously mentioned article to change it to an Always Ask action if you prefer.

(3) If that menu item is missing for these downloads, the site might be misidentifying the file as generic binary content instead of saying specifically that it is a CSV file. This is harder to work around.

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jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 25 Contributor
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Chosen Solution

Hi, Firefox changed its standard behavior from "open automatically" or "ask what to do" to "save file." In most cases, there is a fairly quick fix, so let's check for that possibility:

(1) You can try changing the behavior for CSV files on the Applications list on the Settings page. This article has the steps:

Manage file types and download actions in Firefox

(2) If CSV is not listed there, try this first: open the Downloads list, right-click the file, and choose Always Open Similar Files.

Firefox then should add CSV to the Applications list with a "Use Excel" action. You can use the steps in the previously mentioned article to change it to an Always Ask action if you prefer.

(3) If that menu item is missing for these downloads, the site might be misidentifying the file as generic binary content instead of saying specifically that it is a CSV file. This is harder to work around.

tkirl
tkirl Question owner
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Thank you for the info. It took a couple of tries but I was able to get it to save as excel with your recommended steps. :)