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Why Does My Glossary CSV Open in One Column in Excel?

Learn how to correct CSV formatting issues in Excel to ensure glossary imports work properly.

Overview

You may notice that your glossary CSV file opens in a single column in Excel instead of two separate columns. This can happen when you:

  1. Export the glossary, or

  2. Download the glossary template

This issue occurs when Excel does not recognize the file’s delimiter (typically a comma). If not corrected, you will also receive an error when attempting to import the glossary.

Why Does This Happen?

CSV (Comma-Separated Values) files use delimiters, most commonly commas, to separate data into columns.

In some cases, often due to regional settings, Excel does not automatically detect the comma delimiter. When this happens, all data appears in a single column instead of being split into:

  • Column 1: Phrase

  • Column 2: Definition

For a glossary import to succeed, the file must contain exactly two columns:

  1. Phrase

  2. Definition

If the file remains in a single-column format, the import will fail and generate an error.

How to Fix It

Option 1: Use “From Text/CSV” (Recommended)

  1. Open Excel.

  2. Go to the Data tab.

  3. Select From Text/CSV.

  4. Choose your glossary CSV file.

  5. In the preview window, set the Delimiter to Comma.

  6. Click Load.

This ensures the data is properly separated into two columns.

Option 2: Use “Text to Columns”

If the file is already open and displaying in one column:

  1. Select the column containing the data.

  2. Go to the Data tab.

  3. Click Text to Columns.

  4. Choose Delimited.

  5. Select Comma as the delimiter.

  6. Click Finish.

The data should now appear in two columns.

Before Importing

  • ✅ Confirm the file contains only two columns:

    • Phrase

    • Definition

  • ⚠️ Remember: Importing a glossary replaces the existing glossary.

To avoid data loss:

  • Export your current glossary first before importing a new file.

Summary

If your glossary CSV opens in one column after exporting or downloading the template, Excel likely did not recognize the comma delimiter. Correct the formatting using From Text/CSV or Text to Columns, ensure the file contains exactly two columns (phrase and definition), and then proceed with the import.

If you continue to experience errors after correcting the file format, please contact Support for assistance.