> ## Knowledge Base Index
> Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://www.guides.helpfulcrowd.com/sitemap.xml
> Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further.
> Pure-Markdown content can be obtained by appending a '.md' suffix to the content URLs listed in the sitemap (without the trailing slash).

# Encode and create UTF-8 import files as and save them as .csv

Like many other applications, HelpfulCrowd requires the import file to be saved as a csv in UTF-8 encoding to ensure that it can be correctly read and imported.

There are a few different ways to get UTF-8 encoding so we'll cover the most common programs and ways to do it.

## Google Sheets

[Google Sheets](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/) is fast becoming more popular by the day and is the preferred method of converting and DOWLOADING CSV files.

**1a** - If your data is currently in Google Spreadsheets  
i) Open the Google Spreadsheet and relevant data tab.  
ii) Continue to Step 2.

**OR**

**1b** - If your data is currently in another spreadsheet program  
i) Open the spreadsheet, **select** the relevant cells and **copy** the data to the clipboard.  
ii)  Open a new Google Sheet, select cell **A1** and goto **Edit** > **Paste Special** and click on **Paste values** **only  
**iii) The data should now be in a Google Spreadsheet. Continue to Step 2.  

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/9e92e645ab0f0000/45706e60-dede-4fca-b700-d866b4_1h4dzu.png)


2. Click **File > Download As > Comma-seperated values (.csv, current sheet)**

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/9bf9325bb0247800/621618fd-9765-49ea-bd6b-d9d146_y39jjk.png)


3. Google Sheets will save the spreadsheet to your local drive automatically in UTF-8 format with a name using the filename and CSV file type.  
  

## Excel for Windows (though we do recommend using Google Sheets)

**1.** Click **File** (or the Coloured circle icon, depending on the version of Excel you have).

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/d93bb45a0a31c000/12bbc337-b9ac-4778-a791-61b3ca_u7vlw6.png)

**2.** Select **Save As** and select **CSV** file format.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/85a1e7238188b800/3b089ce5-2956-4d31-8104-56269b_1c43hl3.png)

**3.** Give the file a new name.

**4.** Click **Tools**, then select **Web options.**

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/328dbfcbe3e65c00/13258d69-12ae-491e-b4c3-d120c0_vpa1b2.png)

**5.** Go to the **Encoding** tab.

**6.** In the dropdown for **Save this document as: choose Unicode (UTF-8).**

**7.** Click **Ok.**

**8.** Click **Save.**

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/567146b2744044/daa59dd4-4204-44b4-8c9a-19268b_l8bvk7.png)

## Excel for Mac

There is currently no option in Excel for Mac for UTF-8 encoding. We recommend using either Google Spreadsheets or opening the file in Excel for Windows and follow the instructions below.  

**We also recommend reading:**

*   [Importing Product Reviews](https://helpfulguides.crisp.help/en/article/import-product-reviews-wof0oy/)
*   [Importing Questions & Answers](https://helpfulguides.crisp.help/en/article/import-questions-answers-1tps6pn/)
*   [Importing Offline orders](https://helpfulguides.crisp.help/en/article/sending-requests-for-offline-orders-x2oour/)