Issue to import excel.csv into R studio program

Question

I am trying to import an excel.csv file into the program R studio for statistical analysis. When only opening the excel file, all the columns appear normally. However, the data from the columns are displayed in only one column when trying to import into Rstudio, even during the data preview.

I never had this problem using excel from the desktop.

I have tried applying some tips I found here in the forum regarding .csv files without success.

I have the Microsoft 365 apps for enterprise, and everything is updated.

thank you for the help in advance.

Ps: I am having issues also when trying to create charts in excel and word 365; therefore I started thinking there is something wrong with the Microsoft 365 account.

Answer 1

Hi Juliana. I am an Excel user like you.

I am assuming from your description that you are importing the saved .csv file into your program. The problem may be that you are actually importing a .csv file, not an Excel file. The two are not the same. the .csv file only saves the basic data separated in a text file by a comma and saves none of the formatting, etc. that is put in while in Excel. Unless your program interprets that comma as a column break it will interpret it all as one long text. Try saving the file as a .xlsx Excel file before importing it which will save all of the Excel formatting and see if that will give the program the information it needs to separate it into the proper columns/rows.

Reply if you have additional questions or information. Please mark this reply as answered if this solves your question.

Rich~M

Answer 2

Hi Rich~M,

Yes, I am importing an Excel comma separated value file (excel.csv); however, I have done this before using desktop excel, and it worked fine.

I tried something here, and it worked. In the importing tab, I changed the "Delimiter" from "comma" to " semicolon", and it separated the columns.

Thank you for your help.

Juliana