When you export data from ParishSOFT Accounting or ParishSOFT Family Suite, the file is often saved as a CSV (Comma-Separated Values) file. In a properly formatted CSV file, you can see commas and quotation marks separating each value.

If all your data appears in Column A, Excel has not yet split the values into separate columns.

Option 1: Save the File as an XLSX (Recommended)

If available, the easiest solution is to save the file as an XLSX file.

When saved as XLSX:

• Each data category opens in its own column automatically.
• No additional formatting steps are required.

This example uses Accounting software data, but the same process applies to Family Suite exports.

Option 2: Use Text to Columns in Excel

If the XLSX option is not available, you can use Excel’s Text to Columns feature to separate the data.

Step 1: Select All Data

1. Open the CSV file in Excel.
2. Press Ctrl + A to select all data.

Step 2: Open Text to Columns

1. Go to the Data tab.
2. Select Text to Columns.

The button location may vary by Excel version. Refer to the screenshots below to locate it in your version.

Step 3: Choose Delimited Format

1. In the Text to Columns wizard, select Delimited.
2. Click Next.

Step 4: Select Comma as the Delimiter

1. Check Comma.
2. Click Finish.

Excel will split each data category into its own column.

Example

Before using Text to Columns:
All data appears in Column A.

After using Text to Columns:
Each value appears in its own column.