Excel VBA to Read CSV File into Array (4 Ideal Examples)

While working with the dataset, we occasionally receive data in CSV format. A CSV file is a text file with commas separating information. However, the CSV format is not very intuitive, whether we open it in Excel, Notepad, or any other Text application. A CSV file is mainly used not to disrupt anyone’s work. But many times we may need to read the CSV file using VBA in Microsoft Excel. In this article, we will demonstrate some different examples to read a CSV file into an array using Excel VBA.

What Is CSV File?

A CSV file is a comma-separated values file, which allows for saving data in an organized format. CSVs take after traditional worksheets but come across the .csv suffix. CSV files are compatible with many of these worksheet programs, including Microsoft Excel and Google Spreadsheet applications. This is a text file with commas separating information. Spreadsheets and database systems are the most common places to find CSV files. A CSV file is a simple text document that can be opened in several programs, including Notepad, TextEdit, and other tools that operate with text.

As the name indicates, a CSV file uses commas to divide data. It is a mechanism for applications that can not understand one another immediately to share data sets, such as the elements of a database.

Read CSV File into Array with VBA: 4 Ideal Examples

To read the CSV file into an array, we will utilize the CSV file below to demonstrate our points. There are 4 columns in the file: Employee ID, First Name, Last Name, Birth Date. And, in each row, there are some employee details following the column structure. Now, we will read the data from the CSV file into an array.

Suppose, we save our CSV file into the path shown in the picture below. We name our CSV file Employee Details. While working with the VBA code to read that file we need that specific file path, and the location for the file is “C:\Exceldemy\Employee Details.csv”. Now, let’s illustrate four different examples for reading a CSV file into an array.

1. Read Entire Line of CSV File into Array Using Excel VBA

VBA Macros are Excel programming platforms that employ the Visual Basic Application to indicate user-generated tasks and simplify manual activities. VBA uses macros to simplify common everyday chores that are less repetitive. It is a useful tool in Excel for programmers to do the work faster. With this, we can read CSV files into an array. Let’s go along with the steps to use the VBA to read the CSV file into an array.

STEPS:

• Firstly, we need to open the Visual Basic Editor to do the codes there. For this, go to the Developer tab from the ribbon in an Excel workbook.
• Secondly, from the Code category, click on Visual Basic to open the Visual Basic Editor. Or press Alt + F11 to open the Visual Basic Editor.
• Instead of doing this, you can just right-click on your worksheet and go to View Code. This will also take you to Visual Basic Editor.

• This will appear in the Visual Basic Editor where we write our codes to create a table from range.
• Thirdly, click on Module from the Insert drop-down menu bar.

• This will create a Module in your workbook.
• And, copy and paste the VBA code shown below.

VBA Code:

Sub Read_CSV()
Dim sf, fi
Set sf = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
Set fi = sf.opentextfile("C:\Exceldemy\Employee Details.csv")
value = fi.readline
End Sub

• Run the code by pressing the F5 key on your keyboard.

• This code will read the entire lines of the CSV file.

Sub Read_CSV()

Dim sf, fi

Set sf = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
Set fi = sf.opentextfile("C:\Exceldemy\Employee Details.csv")

value = fi.readline

End Sub

2. Excel VBA to Read Line by Line of CSV File into Array 

Let’s see another example to read a CSV file into an array.

STEPS:

• Similarly, in the earlier example, go to the Developer tab from the ribbon.
• Second, click on Visual Basic to open the Visual Basic Editor.
• Another way to open the Visual Basic Editor is simply to press Alt + F11.
• Or, right-click on the sheet, then select View Code.
• Next, go to Insert and select Module from the drop-down menu.
• And, this will open up the visual basic window.
• After that, copy and paste the VBA code below.

VBA Code:

Private Sub Read_CSV2()
Dim fnam As String
Dim f As Integer
Dim fi As String
Dim ln As Variant
Dim fln As Variant
Dim row As Long
Dim col As Long
Dim arr() As String
Dim l As Long
Dim cl As Long
    fnam = "C:\Exceldemy\Employee Details.csv"
    If Right$(fnam, 1) <> "\" Then fnam = _
        fnam & "\"
    fnam = fnam & "Employee Details.csv"
    f = FreeFile
    Open fnam For Input As f
    fi = Input$(LOF(f), #f)
    Close f
    ln = Split(fi, vbCrLf)
    row = UBound(ln)
    fln = Split(ln(0), ",")
    col = UBound(fln)
    ReDim arr(row, col)
    For l = 0 To row
        If Len(ln(l)) > 0 Then
            fln = Split(ln(l), ",")
            For cl = 0 To col
                arr(l, cl) = fln(cl)
            Next cl
        End If
    Next l
End Sub

• Further, press the F5 key or click on the Run Sub button to run the code.

• This code will read from the first row of the array from the CSV File.

 f = FreeFile
    Open fnam For Input As f
    fi = Input$(LOF(f), #f)
    Close f

ln = Split(fi, vbCrLf)

 row = UBound(ln)
    fln = Split(ln(0), ",")
    col = UBound(fln)
    ReDim arr(row, col)

 For l = 0 To row
        If Len(ln(l)) > 0 Then
            fln = Split(ln(l), ",")
            For cl = 0 To col
                arr(l, cl) = fln(cl)
            Next cl

Read More: Excel VBA to Read CSV File Line by Line

3. Read a CSV File into an Array with VBA Built-in Statements

Let’s see another example to read a CSV file into an array.

STEPS:

• Likewise, in the previous examples, to begin with, open the ribbon and choose Developer from the drop-down menu.
• Then select Visual Basic to open the Visual Basic Editor.
• The Visual Basic Editor may also be accessed by pressing Alt + F11.
• Alternatively, you may right-click the sheet and select View Code from the pop-up menu.
• After that, select Module from the Insert drop-down menu.
• Then copy and paste the following VBA code.

VBA Code:

Sub Read_Csv1()
Dim sf As String
Dim arr() As String
Dim cnt As Long
sf = "c:\data\book1.csv"
ReDim arr(1)
Open sf For Input As #1
Do
cnt = cnt + 1
ReDim Preserve arr(cnt)
Line Input #1, arr(cnt)
Loop Until EOF(1)
Close #1
End Sub

• Finally, press the F5 key to run the code.

sf = "c:\data\book1.csv"

ReDim arr(1)

Open sf For Input As #1

Do
cnt = cnt + 1

ReDim Preserve arr(cnt)

Line Input #1, arr(cnt)

Loop Until EOF(1)

Close #1

4. Use VBA Macro Command Button to Read a CSV File

Let’s look at another example of utilizing Excel VBA to read a CSV file into an array. In this example, we will use a command button to read the CSV file.

STEPS:

• In the first place, go to the Developer tab from the ribbon.
• Then, under the Controls category, you will find the Insert drop-down menu.
• Now, click on the drop-down menu bar and select the command button from the ActiveX Controls.

• Further, this will allow you to place a command button into your spreadsheet. So, place the button in your desired place.

• Furthermore, click on the button. And, this will take you to the Visual Basic Editor.
• After that, write down the VBA code there.

VBA Code:

Private Sub CommandButton1_Click()
    Dim a, mfile As String
    mfile = "C:\Exceldemy\Employee Details.csv"
        With GetObject(mfile).Sheets(1)
            a = .Range(.Cells(1, 1), .Cells(1, .Cells(1, .Columns.Count).End(xlToLeft).Column))
            .Parent.Close
        End With
 End Sub

• After that, run the code by clicking the RubSub button or using the F5 keyboard shortcut.

With GetObject(mfile).Sheets(1)
            a = .Range(.Cells(1, 1), .Cells(1, .Cells(1, .Columns.Count).End(xlToLeft).Column))
            .Parent.Close
End With

Read More: Excel VBA to Convert CSV File to XLSX

Download Practice Workbook

You can download the workbook and practice with them.

Conclusion

The above examples will assist you in reading CSV Files into Array in Excel VBA. I hope this will help you! If you have any questions, suggestions, or feedback please let us know in the comment section. Have a nice day!

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