MacXL: How to Bypass the Text Import Wizard When You Import Files

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If the files you import into Microsoft Excel are always parsed correctly when you open them, you may not want to display the Text Import Wizard during the import process. To keep the Text Import Wizard dialog box from appearing when you import a file, follow these steps:

1. On the File menu, click Open.
2. Locate and select the file you want from the list.
3. Hold down the SHIFT key and click Open.

This technique is especially helpful when used with files such as tab- delimited text files.

NOTE: The Text Import Wizard is not displayed when you open text files with a .CSV extension (comma-separated value files). Instead, the text file is parsed into separate columns using commas as delimiters. If you want the Text Import Wizard to be displayed for files with a .CSV extension, rename the text file so that its file name extension is .txt.