csv file changes

Question

Is there a way to recover changes made to a csv file?  Didn't realize that when I was making color changes to data (highlighting) and saving, this file wouldn't actually save those highlights.  Have about 9000 lines of items I don't want to start fresh from!

Answer 1

When you save as csv, by definition you get a file with no formatting.

I assume you didn't have the always make backup option (Save As dialog) selected, and that you've already unsuccessfully tried restoring a Time Machine backup if you have one?

If so, you're probably stuck starting fresh...

Answer 2

I'm not clear on exactly what happened, but if the file was an Excel Workbook file to begin with & you were saving it as a CSV, here's a tip for future reference which has helped in my case... Get in the habit of;

1. Doing no editing during the following steps
2. Save your .xls/.xlsx document in its current state
3. Next do a Save As in whatever format you need [e.g., .csv]
4. Then Close the current [.csv] document
5. Decline saving changes when prompted

You can then reopen the .xls/.xlsx which will be exactly as last saved... All sheets, all formatting, all formulas, etc.

If the file started as a CSV -- not chastising, just troubleshooting -- did you not get a prompt advising that the workbook contained features hat would be removed due to the file format?

Answer 3

Thanks for the quick response.  Guess I'm back to square one as my computer is new and was not hooked up to the time machine yet.