How to Import Data from Text File into Excel (3 Methods)

Sometimes, we may have our desired data in a text file. And we need to import that data into an Excel workbook for performing various operations. In this article, we will show you the simple yet effective methods to Import Data from a Text File into Excel.

To illustrate, we’ll use the following data present in a text file as our source. For instance, the data contains the Salesman, Product, and Sales of a company. We’ll import this information into our Excel worksheet.

How to Import Data from Text File into Excel: 3 Easy Ways

1. Import Data from Text File by Opening It in Excel

Our first method is the simplest one for importing information from text files into an Excel workbook. Follow the below steps carefully to perform the task.

STEPS:

• First, open Excel.
• Then, select File.
• In the File window, click Open.

• After that, choose Browse.

• As a result, a dialog box will pop out.
• There, select your desired text file and press Open.

• The Text Import Wizard will appear.
• Subsequently, select Finish.

• At last, you’ll see the text file information in a new Excel workbook just like it’s shown in the following picture.

Read More: How to Convert Notepad to Excel with Columns

2. Excel Power Query Editor to Include Text File Data

We know the Excel Power Query Editor helps us to carry out numerous tasks in our Excel workbook. One of its uses is in importing data from text files. In this method, we’ll take the help of Power Query Editor to import data from a text file into Excel. So, learn the following steps to carry out the operation.

STEPS:

• Firstly, go to the Data tab.
• Next, select Get Data ➤ From File ➤ From Text/CSV.

• Consequently, the Import Data dialog box will emerge.
• There, select the text file where you have your required information.
• Then, press Import.

• As a result, a new window will pop out where you’ll see the text file information.
• Afterward, press Load.

• Lastly, it’ll return a new Excel worksheet with the data from the text file.

3. Apply Copy & Paste Features for Importing Data from Text File

Moreover, we have another simple way to import data from text files. In our last method, we’ll apply the ‘Copy & Paste’ feature to get our job done. Hence, follow the below process for importing data from a text file into an Excel workbook.

STEPS:

• Go to your Text File first.
• Secondly, press the Ctrl and A keys together to select all the information.
• Then, press the Ctrl and C keys simultaneously to copy the data.

• Subsequently, go to the Excel worksheet where you want the information to appear.
• In this example, select the range B4:D10.

• Finally, press the keys Ctrl and V at the same time to paste the copied data.
• As a result, the data will appear in the specified destination.

Read More: How to Import Text File with Multiple Delimiters into Excel

Refresh Imported Data in Excel

Additionally, we can refresh the imported data in our Excel worksheet. It’s necessary in case we make any changes in the source data. Thus, learn the steps below to perform the task.

STEPS:

• In the beginning, right-click on the imported data.
• A list of options will appear.
• From there, select Refresh.

• Hence, it’ll return the refreshed data.

Download Practice Workbook

Download the following workbook to practice by yourself.

Conclusion

Henceforth, you will be able to Import Data from a Text File into Excel following the above-described methods. Keep using them and let us know if you have any more ways to do the task. Don’t forget to drop comments, suggestions, or queries if you have any in the comment section below.

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