What is a CSV File?

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What is a CSV File?

 

A CSV file is a "Comma Separated File"

 

Example:

 

61494225344,FirstName,LastName,Variable

61494225344,FirstName,LastName,Variable

61494225344,FirstName,LastName,Variable

61494225344,FirstName,LastName,Variable

 

This file would be 4 lines, each line with 4 fields separated by a comma.

 

Field 1 in each row is 61494225344

Field 2 in each row is FirstName

Field 3 in each row is LastName

Field 4 in each row is Variable

 

If you were to use the mailmerge / personalization on our platform you would represent:

Field 1 as {1}

Field 2 as {2}

Field 3 as {3}

Field 4 as {4}

 

Uses of fields in CSV file:

 

List Presentation, If you were to use this within the List presentation field you could enter a presentation such as "{2} {3} [{1}]" which would be equivalent to "FirstName LastName [61494225344]"

 

 

Advanced CSV Files:

To include spaces and commas within the field content you should put the field in double quotes (").

 

Example:

 

61494225344,'FirstName,Test",LastName,Variable

 

This would change the contents to

Field 1 in each row is 61494225344

Field 2 in each row is FirstName,Test

Field 3 in each row is LastName

Field 4 in each row is Variable

 

Opening CSV files in Microsoft Excel or equivalent

Microsoft will automatically strip off the double quotes around the fields and lok as if they don't appear.

 

If you are having problems with the format of a CSV file being processed by an automated system, view the file in a text editor to confirm where the double quotes are placed (").