XL: Exported Comma Separated File Ignores Regional Settings (288839)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel 2000
  • Microsoft Excel 2002
  • Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
This article was previously published under Q288839

SYMPTOMS

When you use a Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) macro to save a Comma-separated values (.csv) file, Excel ignores the Microsoft Windows regional setting for the List separator character.

CAUSE

Excel uses the default U.S. regional settings when running a macro. This behavior ensures that the result of running macro code is consistent regardless of the computer's regional settings.

Because the default separator character in English (U.S.) is a comma, Excel uses a comma as the separator.

WORKAROUND

If you need .csv files to be separated according to the regional settings, click Save As on the File menu to save the file manually.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:10/10/2006
Keywords:kbprb KB288839
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