Data Usage

Spreadsheets

Spreadsheet programs such as Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets can help with viewing and analysing CSV data. Below are some recommendations for exploring IATI Tables data in spreadsheet programs.

Disable Auto-Formatting

When opening CSV files, spreadsheet programs try to automatically assign types to each column, for example for numbers and dates. Auto-formatting strips leading zeros from numerical identifiers, for example transforming the identifier 00010 into 10.

To prevent these incorrect transformations, disable auto-formatting when loading CSV data into spreadsheets. For example, in Google Sheets, take the following steps:

1. Create an empty spreadsheet

2. Select File > Import

3. Upload the file you want to import

4. On the Import file screen, uncheck the box labelled “Convert text to numbers, dates and formulas”

5. Click Import data