Automatically open downloaded csv files with Excel
I have for many years tried to have excel automatically open downloaded .csv files as I do this every day many times. Until today I have not been able to understand why, despite having asked for Firefox to automatically open .csv files with Excel, and therefore finding "Microsoft Excel Comma Separated Values File" associated to "Use Excel (Default)" in the application association list in the General settings, Firefox continues to ask what to do with the .csv file type when downloading.
What I have discovered is that when using a search for associations in the General tab, csv gives no results! However searching for cel does for some reason list the "Microsoft Excel Comma Separated Values File".
It seems to me that the file type three letter code for the Microsoft excel csv file is wrongly stated in the association list. Is my assumption right? If so how can I correct this please?
For information I have had this problem on more than one computer! I have just set this up on a brand new laptop when discovering this.
Images attached... Thank you.
All Replies (7)
You can check the handlers.json file in the Firefox profile folder. This file is in JSON format and you can possibly open this file in a tab.
You can use the button on the "Help -> More Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page to go to the current Firefox profile folder or use the about:profiles page (Root directory).
- Help -> More Troubleshooting Information -> Profile Folder/Directory:
Windows: Open Folder; Linux: Open Directory; Mac: Show in Finder - https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profiles-where-firefox-stores-user-data
Hi @Cor-el, thanks for taking the time to reply.
I have opened the handlers.json. I don't know if what it contains is right or wrong in respect of requiring .csv to open automatically with Excel. Can you give a short explanation of what the entry found for .csv might be enforcing please? Image attached.
Thanks again.
Just a bit more information which may be useful. Using the pop up dialogue that requests the OK button to be clicked to download the file despite the "Do this automatically for files like this... " being ticked, I specifically chose EXCEL as the Handler for the file type. This altered the Handlers JSON to include Handlers information (see attached), but still the pop up dialogue that requests the OK button to be clicked to download the file appears.
If there is any more help you can give it would be much appreciated.
thanks
The screenshot shows that you have 'csv' associated with application/download and not with a valid MIME type for CSV (text/csv or application/csv), so Firefox will always ask what to do with a CSV file.
I have an add-on intended to override inappropriate Content-Type (MIME Type) indications for various file extensions, but I didn't include CSV. It is possible to add it yourself, but I might also be able to update it later this week. If you can't wait, the steps would be:
First, install from:
https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/content-type-fixer/
To turn the extension on, click its Zzzz button. Then, to create your new association:
(1) Start a CSV download. Once you get Firefox's download dialog, you can cancel it, the extension has recorded the data from the server by then.
(2) Click the extension button, then Add/Edit Content Types (View Log) -- here's an example from a different type of file:
(3) On the log page, find the row with your download -- usually the first row -- and click Add. A form should appear. Click the second bubble and enter the "correct" content type text/csv and then click Save Content-Type.
(4) Switch back to your download page and try the download again. The next step could vary:
(A) Old behavior: Firefox defaults to "Always Ask" and you can set the action to always use with the checkbox in the dialog.
(B) New behavior: Firefox defaults to "Save File" and you can set the action to always use by clicking the Downloads button on the toolbar, right-clicking the download, and choosing "Always Open in System Viewer"
Either way, Firefox should show that new handler preference on the Settings page and apply it going forward.
Note: In order for the add-on to override the Content-Type, the extension needs to be listening (hammer in color) at the time you click the download link, but you can turn it off when you don't need it.
Thank you both for your replies. I will have a look at the fix tomorrow @jscher2000 .... first thoughts - having scanned the manual steps - is that it would be best to wait for you to find time to update the add-on.
Sorry for the late follow-up, but I added CSV in the March 24th update to the add-on.