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Downloading .csv automatically converts to .csv.txt and is a mess in excel. CANNOT right-click and save...

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  • Last reply by nichhanson

nichhanson
nichhanson
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Hi all,

Here is my issue. Trying to download a .csv file and it automatically downloads it as a .csv.txt and wants to open it in notepad. This should be an Excel file. When opening in Excel, all data is in one column and its a mess.

More Background Info: JUST downloaded Firefox, assuming its the most recent update

I CANNOT right-click and save file. I have to click a hyperlink "export" button and it will not allow me to save the data. When doing the save-as option, it wants to save the webpage, not the data I am trying to access

This has never been an issue before on other browsers. Both Safari, Edge, and Chrome read it as .CSV and has never converted it to .txt

I tried downloading some add-on that was another downloader but it just did the same thing.

I cannot give access to the link, as it is sensitive information.

Using the most recent Windows and Office (Not Windows S)

I understand I can use Excel to do "text to columns" but in my eyes this is an unnecessary step that has and should be automatically done upon download when .csv

I am not a big techy, so layman terms would be great.

Thank you for your time and help!

Hi all, Here is my issue. Trying to download a .csv file and it automatically downloads it as a .csv.txt and wants to open it in notepad. This should be an Excel file. When opening in Excel, all data is in one column and its a mess. More Background Info: JUST downloaded Firefox, assuming its the most recent update I CANNOT right-click and save file. I have to click a hyperlink "export" button and it will not allow me to save the data. When doing the save-as option, it wants to save the webpage, not the data I am trying to access This has never been an issue before on other browsers. Both Safari, Edge, and Chrome read it as .CSV and has never converted it to .txt I tried downloading some add-on that was another downloader but it just did the same thing. I cannot give access to the link, as it is sensitive information. Using the most recent Windows and Office (Not Windows S) I understand I can use Excel to do "text to columns" but in my eyes this is an unnecessary step that has and should be automatically done upon download when .csv I am not a big techy, so layman terms would be great. Thank you for your time and help!

Modified by nichhanson

Chosen solution

Hi nichhanson, I'm not sure why Firefox is adding .txt to the file name. The following may help you exercise more control:

(1) Set Windows to show common file extensions. The following article has the steps:

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/how-to-show-file-extensions-in-windows/

(2) Set Firefox to display the Save As dialog for downloads rather than saving automatically.

This is on the Option page. Either:

  • Windows: "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Options
  • Mac: "3-bar" menu button (or Firefox menu) > Preferences
  • Linux: "3-bar" menu button (or Edit menu) > Preferences
  • Any system: type or paste about:preferences into the address bar and press Enter/Return to load it

On the General panel, scroll down to the Downloads section and switch to "Always ask you where to save files".

When you hit the export link, does the Save As dialog show the correct name or is it adding .txt there already?

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All Replies (3)

nichhanson
nichhanson Question owner
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Ignore this comment

Modified by nichhanson

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 25 Contributor
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Seçilmiş Həll

Hi nichhanson, I'm not sure why Firefox is adding .txt to the file name. The following may help you exercise more control:

(1) Set Windows to show common file extensions. The following article has the steps:

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/how-to-show-file-extensions-in-windows/

(2) Set Firefox to display the Save As dialog for downloads rather than saving automatically.

This is on the Option page. Either:

  • Windows: "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Options
  • Mac: "3-bar" menu button (or Firefox menu) > Preferences
  • Linux: "3-bar" menu button (or Edit menu) > Preferences
  • Any system: type or paste about:preferences into the address bar and press Enter/Return to load it

On the General panel, scroll down to the Downloads section and switch to "Always ask you where to save files".

When you hit the export link, does the Save As dialog show the correct name or is it adding .txt there already?

nichhanson
nichhanson Question owner
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Hi

Thank you so much for your response! I do not know what changed, but I completed your tips in order and now it is working.

Interestingly enough, when I did the first download after applying the changes, it was going to save as .csv which is great. Then i reverted the settings for automatically save to a folder rather than choose my own folder, and it maintained the .csv

So maybe it was with the "show common file extensions" ?

Regardless, thank you so much for this! I truly appreciate your time and help.