csv encoding fix
Fix Encoding — just pick a file and you're done.
Drop your file here
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csv, txt files · up to 10MB
Your file never leaves your browser — nothing is uploaded anywhere.
See how to verify your file isn't sent anywhereFree to use, no sign-up or install required.
What to do next
Converts CSV to Excel while keeping leading zeros and long numbers intact.
Converts Excel to a clean UTF-8 CSV that won't show garbled text.
Cleans up leading/trailing spaces, repeated spaces, and line breaks in one pass.
How to use Fix Encoding
- 1Choose the CSV or TXT file that shows garbled text when opened in Excel, or drag it into the upload area.
- 2Check or change the source encoding (Auto-detect, UTF-8, or Windows-1252).
- 3Click Fix encoding, check the preview, then download the corrected CSV file.
When to use this
- Great for a CSV exported from an older system or a Mac that shows characters like é or ’ instead of accented letters when opened on Windows.
- Useful for names with accented letters (José, Zoë, François) that turn into mojibake when the file's encoding doesn't match what Excel assumes.
- Handy for adding a UTF-8 BOM marker to a plain text export so Excel recognizes the encoding correctly instead of guessing wrong.
Frequently asked questions
Can this fix a file that's already been saved over in its broken state?
No — once a file has been re-saved while already garbled, the original character data is permanently lost and can't be recovered. Go back to the original exported file and convert that instead.
Why does the fixed CSV open correctly in Excel afterward?
The file is re-saved with a 3-byte UTF-8 BOM marker at the very start, which lets Excel immediately recognize it as UTF-8 instead of guessing an encoding that garbles accented characters.
Does my file really never get sent to a server?
Correct — LocalSheet does all its processing inside your own web browser. Your file data never travels over the network to anywhere. It even works with your internet connection turned off.
Is there a limit on file size or number of files?
For browser performance and stability, we support files totaling up to 10MB. Merging files supports up to 20 files at once.
Is there a fee, or do I need to log in?
No. Every LocalSheet tool is completely free, with no account and no login required.