Not prompted to save .csv file after download
Published: June 01, 2005Send your feedback
Symptom
When you click a link to a .CSV file in your Web browser, the .CSV file may automatically open in Microsoft Excel instead of displaying the Open/Save prompt.
Resolution
To enable the open / save prompt for .CSV files, try this:
- Open Control Panel, double-click Folder Options
- Click the File Types dialog
- Select XLS (Microsoft Excel Worksheet)
- Click the Advanced button
- Enable the option Confirm open after download
- Click OK, OK to close the dialog
Editor's Note: Selecting .CSV file type from the list and enabling the option Confirm open after download may not help. You need to make changes to the .XLS file type for the change to be applied to CSV files as well. Doing so affects most of the file types handled by Microsoft Excel.
Automate using a .REG file - Windows XP/Vista
To automate the above, download csvprompt.reg and save to Desktop. Right-click on the file and choose Merge. Click Yes when asked for confirmation. This .reg file can be used in Windows Vista as well.
To open spreadsheets in browser window
If you want to open the .CSV (and all the .XL?) files in Internet Explorer window, enable the option Browse in same window.
Related article
Configure Internet Explorer to open Office documents in the appropriate Office program