Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated March 9, 2024)
This tip applies to Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Excel in Microsoft 365
Sometimes the export filters used by Excel can produce undesired results in the exported file. For instance, when you export to a tab-delimited text file, some Excel filters place quote marks around the text in a cell. For instance, assume that a particular cell contains the following text:
Create bts; sitemask = "0110"; pcmlink = 40
This, however, is how the text in the cell is exported by Excel:
"Create bts; sitemask = ""0110""; pcmlink = 40"
Notice that Excel adds extra quotation marks, first around the entire cell contents, and then an extra set around any previously "quoted" text within the cell.
One solution for handling the problem is to simply load the text file created by Excel into another program, such as Word, and use the Find and Replace feature to remove the undesired quotes. A better solution, however, is to create your own macro that creates the output text file. Consider the following macro:
Sub Export() Dim r As Range, c As Range Dim sTemp As String Open "c:\MyOutput.txt" For Output As #1 For Each r In Selection.Rows sTemp = "" For Each c In r.Cells sTemp = sTemp & c.Text & Chr(9) Next c 'Get rid of trailing tabs While Right(sTemp, 1) = Chr(9) sTemp = Left(sTemp, Len(sTemp) - 1) Wend Print #1, sTemp Next r Close #1 End Sub
All you need to do is select the cells you want to export, and then run the macro. The cells in the selection are extracted from the worksheet and placed in the file c:MyOutput.txt. (This filename can be changed in the macro to whatever your needs dictate.)
Note:
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (8321) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Excel in Microsoft 365. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Excel here: Getting Rid of Extra Quote Marks in Exported Text Files.
Solve Real Business Problems Master business modeling and analysis techniques with Excel and transform data into bottom-line results. This hands-on, scenario-focused guide shows you how to use the latest Excel tools to integrate data from multiple tables. Check out Microsoft Excel 2013 Data Analysis and Business Modeling today!
When you choose to save worksheet data in CSV format, Excel gives you three choices for file formats. Those choices are ...
Discover MoreSometimes, when importing data created by other programs, you may find that there is too much for Excel to handle. Here's ...
Discover MoreIf you import data into Excel that is created by other programs, you know that it can be bothersome to get your data ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Excel that uses the ribbon interface (Excel 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the menu interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments