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Norman2's avatar
Norman2
Copper Contributor
Mar 10, 2026

List separator for imported files from colon to semi colon

since a windows update my imported files into excel are imported as colon instead of a semi colon separator, I need to revert to semi colon

excel

1 Reply

  • Olufemi7's avatar
    Olufemi7
    Iron Contributor
    Mar 10, 2026

    HelloNorman2​, Excel uses the Windows regional list separator when importing text or CSV files. If the Windows setting changes, Excel will use the same delimiter during import. To revert to a semicolon, change the Windows list separator in Control Panel. Go to Control Panel, open Region, select Additional settings, change the List separator from : to ;, apply the change, then restart Excel and import the file again. Microsoft documentation explains that Excel follows the Windows regional list separator settings https://learn.microsoft.com/office/troubleshoot/excel/formula-errors