Have you ever felt the hassle of having to open Microsoft Excel just to convert a single CSV file to Excel (XLS or XLSX)? Or maybe you have to repeat that process many times every day for the data to keep updating.
Imagine this: with just a few command lines, you can convert CSV to XLS or XLSX in seconds, even for large files! No need to install additional software, no need to click repeatedly, and most importantly, the process can be fully automated.
In Windows 11, you can do CSV to Excel conversion with just a command line, using built-in tools like PowerShell.
Why Use the Command Line for CSV to Excel Conversion?
Managing data in CSV format is common in the modern world of work, especially in the fields of administration, finance, and data processing. However, when the data needs to be further processed or presented neatly in Excel format (.XLS or . XLSX), the conversion process is often a laborious job if done manually.
1. Super Fast Process Without Opening the App
One of the biggest advantages of using a command line is the speed of the process. You no longer need to open Microsoft Excel, load a CSV file, set the column format, and then resave it as an Excel file. All of these steps can be replaced with just one command line in the terminal.
2. Automation for Bulk Conversions
Command lines are not only fast, but they can also be automated. You can create a conversion script once, then run it multiple times, and even schedule it to run automatically every day or whenever a new file appears in a specific folder.
3. No additional costs required
Many users think they have to buy expensive software to perform data conversion efficiently. In fact, by using the built-in command line tools, you can run this process at no cost at all.
Tools Needed to Convert CSV to Excel via Command Line
Before you start converting CSV files to Excel (XLS/XLSX) via the command line in Windows 11, there are a few basic tools you need to set up.
1. Windows 11 (Latest Version Recommended)
For the best performance and maximum compatibility with tools like PowerShell or Command Prompt, make sure you’re using the latest version of Windows 11. The system is equipped with a variety of stability enhancements and modern features that strongly support command line-based execution of commands.
2. Command Prompt or PowerShell
The command line will not run without a terminal. In Windows, you have two main options that you can use to execute commands:
- Command Prompt (cmd.exe): A classic tool that’s been around for a long time on Windows. Suitable for basic and simple batch orders.
- PowerShell: More advanced than Command Prompt. It supports advanced scripting, complex data manipulation, as well as module integrations such as Import-Csv, Export-Excel, and so on.
For CSV to Excel conversion, PowerShell is highly recommended, as it supports a variety of third-party modules such as the very powerful ImportExcel.
3. Sample CSV file (e.g., data.csv)
To get this guide into practice right away, prepare a CSV file as an example. This file can contain simple data such as a list of names, email addresses, transactions, or products. You can create your own using Notepad, Excel, or download samples from the internet.
Examples of data.csv content:
Name,Email,Age
Ahmad,ahmad@example.com,30
Budi,budi@example.com,25
Citra,citra@example.com,28Make sure your CSV file:
- Using a comma delimiter (,), instead of a semicolon (;)
- Stored in an easily accessible directory, for example, in C:Data
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Steps to Convert CSV to Excel (XLS/XLSX) via Command Line
In the Windows world, PowerShell is the Swiss Army knife for system automation. When it comes to CSV to Excel conversion, PowerShell offers an elegant solution through the ImportExcel module.
This ImportExcel module is specifically designed for manipulating Excel files directly from the command line, without the need for Microsoft Office installed. Its main advantage lies in its ability to handle large files with high efficiency, while still maintaining the original data format and structure.