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How to Edit Bulk Import Spreadsheet if Excel is Expired
How to Edit Bulk Import Spreadsheet if Excel is Expired

Expired Excel, how to edit spreadsheet, No Excel Subscription

Isabelle Talkington avatar
Written by Isabelle Talkington
Updated over 2 weeks ago

If you need to prepare a spreadsheet for bulk import into FarmRaise Tracks but don’t have an active Excel subscription, don’t worry! You can still edit and save your CSV file using free tools like text editors or spreadsheet programs such as Google Sheets or Apple Numbers. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you get started.


Opening Your CSV File Without Excel

Using a Basic Text Editor

A CSV file is essentially a text file with data separated by commas. You can open and edit it using a basic text editor. Here’s how:

  • Windows Notepad

    1. Right-click your CSV file and select Open with > Notepad.

    2. Edit the file as needed, but be careful not to remove or alter the commas that separate the data.

    3. Click File > Save As, ensure the file type is All Files, and save it with a .csv extension.

  • Mac TextEdit

    1. Open TextEdit.

    2. Click File > Open, then select your CSV file.

    3. If the text appears unformatted, click Format > Make Plain Text.

    4. Edit as needed and save with the .csv extension.

Using Google Sheets to Edit Your CSV

If you prefer a spreadsheet format but don’t have Excel, Google Sheets is a free and easy alternative.


Uploading and Editing in Google Sheets

  1. Go to Google Sheets and sign in with your Google account.

  2. Click File > Open and select Upload.

  3. Drag and drop your CSV file or click Select a file from your device.

  4. The file will open in a spreadsheet format, allowing you to make necessary changes.

  5. Once finished, click File > Download > Comma Separated Values (.csv) to save your changes.

Using Apple Numbers (Mac Users)

Mac users can edit CSV files in Apple Numbers:

  1. Open Numbers and select File > Open.

  2. Choose your CSV file.

  3. Edit the spreadsheet as needed.

  4. To save, click File > Export To > CSV… and follow the prompts.

Converting an Expired Excel File to CSV

Even if your Excel subscription has expired, you can still save a file as a CSV:

  1. Open the Excel file.

  2. Click File > Save As.

  3. Choose CSV (Comma delimited) (.csv) as the file type.

  4. Click Save.

  5. A warning message may appear, notifying you that some formatting may be lost. Click OK to proceed.

Key Points to Remember

  • Access Limitations: Even with an expired Excel subscription, you can open and save files but may not have access to advanced features.

  • Warning Message: When saving as CSV, Excel may warn that some formatting may be lost. This is normal and won’t affect your data structure for FarmRaise Tracks.

By following these steps, you can successfully edit and prepare your CSV file for bulk import into FarmRaise Tracks, ensuring a smooth and efficient process!

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