CSV files open without Text Import dialog in LibreOffice Calc 25.8

[nevyoung]

Product: LibreOffice Calc
Version: 25.8
OS: Windows (11)

Problem:

When opening a .csv file in Calc using File → Open or by double-clicking the file, LibreOffice no longer shows the Text Import dialog . Instead, Calc opens the file directly using automatic delimiter detection or previously used settings.

In earlier versions of LibreOffice, the Text Import dialog reliably appeared when opening CSV files. This allowed the user to choose:

• delimiter (comma, semicolon, tab, etc.)
• text delimiter
• column data types
• encoding

Without this dialog, Calc “guesses” the format. When the guess is wrong, the data may appear entirely in one column or with incorrect column parsing.

Impact:

This removes user control over CSV import and forces awkward workarounds such as:

• renaming .csv files to .txt
• copying the file contents and using Paste Special
• other indirect methods

For users who frequently work with CSV files from different sources, the ability to adjust import settings before opening the file is essential.

Request:

Please restore one of the following:

1. Always show the Text Import dialog when opening .csv files, as in earlier LibreOffice versions; or
2. Provide a clear preference such as “Always show CSV import dialog” in Options.

This would restore predictable behaviour and user control when importing CSV data.

Additional notes:

Several users appear to be encountering the same issue, suggesting this change in behaviour is confusing and disruptive to established workflows.

[mikekaganski]

@nevyoung

When opening a .csv file in Calc using File → Open or by double-clicking the file, LibreOffice no longer shows the Text Import dialog . Instead, Calc opens the file directly using automatic delimiter detection or previously used settings.

This means, that you have unchecked the new checkbox “Always show on import”, appeared in the Text Import dialog in v.25.8 - see at the bottom in the screenshot:

By default, it is checked; so no, it does not remove user control - to the contrary, it increases that control; it does not force “awkward workarounds” - it is a user choice. And - what’s more important: you can always re-enable it again: just use File Open dialog; in file type selector, choose "Text CSV:; then check “Edit filter settings” checkbox (to override the preference once) - and you will get the wanted dialog, where you now can select to show it from now on.

P.S. Filing bug reports is off-topic here

P.P.S. Note how all the information was already there in the release notes.

[nevyoung]

Thank you Mike

That does solve the problem.

Yes I had unticked the ‘Always show…’ checkbox. The method of restoring that check is a deep dive without having read the voluminous release notes, but I suppose how else could you alert users to that change. I did take a look at the file formats but there are so many that I gave up straight away. A CSV being such a common format should be near the top of the list.

I guess that most users are in hurry so won’t spend time going through all the notes. Perhaps I should remember to first check the release notes whenever I strike a problem and to search the notes for some sort of reference to my issue.

My first option was to check with ChatGPT which did not come up with this resolution despite a longish chat. Perhaps it will now find your answer on this forum.

Very glad to get a fast response – gives me some confidence for the future.