This article is meant for Windows users of Box Edit who want to be able to open CSV files on their computer using the Box Edit tool and Microsoft Excel.
Problem
When double-clicking on a downloaded CSV file on a computer, that file opens in Excel. However, when using Box Edit's "Open" function for a file in Box, Notepad opens rather than Excel.
Cause
This problem is caused because Notepad is often registered within Windows as the default Editor of CSV files. Box Edit relies on the registered Editor to know what program to edit. Note that default Opener is different from default Editor, and most means of changing the default program for files changes only the default Opener.
Solution
- Download the free program Default Programs Editor, which downloads as a .zip file.
- Open the .zip file you downloaded, then go into the Default Programs Editor folder, then double-click on the Default Programs Editor.exe file and choose Run to run it. (The program does not need to be installed to run.) Click Run again if prompted.
- Choose File Type Settings then Context Menu.
- Search for CSV, select it and click Next.
- Select the Open line and click Edit Selected Command... Copy the text in Program path (this will be the location of Microsoft Excel on your computer).
- Click the left-facing arrow in the top left to go back.
- Select the Edit line and click Edit Selected Command...
- Delete the text in the Program path section and replace it with the text that you copied earlier.
- Click Next and Save Context Menu and OK.
- Close Default Programs Editor.
- Box Edit will now open CSV files in Excel on your computer. You can delete the .zip file you downloaded for Default Programs Editor.
See Also
Box Edit
Questions?
Contact Support