We always export data using three sets of double quotation marks. We do this because otherwise, Excel silently alters the data when a file is opened. Excel adjusts date values to match the PC’s system settings. As a result, a chip number is displayed as a decimal value, and numbers that could also be date values are displayed as dates—or vice versa. The quotation marks indicate that the data should not be converted. In short, to prevent Excel from silently reformatting the data—and thereby corrupting the export—we enclose it in three sets of quotation marks.
In Excel, you can easily remove these quotation marks after the export using the Find and Replace feature.
Here are the steps:
- Open the Excel export file
- Hold down the Ctrl and H keys at the same time. A pop-up window will appear.
- In the “Find what:” field, enter ” (a double quotation mark). Leave the “Replace with:” field blank. Watch out for any remaining spaces!
- Click “Replace All”
For more detailed information about editing an Excel export file, see this support article: How can I edit an exported .csv file in Excel without data corruption?