How to set Excel as default for CSV files on Mac

Certain actions that you perform on your Mac will cause macOS Monterey default apps to open. For example, clicking a document may open Pages. But what if you want Microsoft Word to open instead? You can also set your default web browser and email reader, meaning your best Mac can easily open your favorite apps. Here's how to set default apps on Mac, so you can keep your computer organized, and custom tailored to you. 

How to change the default Mac app for specific file types

You can change default apps for many different types of files in macOS Monterey. In this example, I use a .jpg (photo), but you can do these steps with plenty of different types of files. The steps remain the same in the upcoming macOS Ventura release.

1. Right-click on a file that uses the file type you'd like to change the default for. For example, one with a .jpg extension (a photo).
2. Click on Get Info in the pop-up.
3. Click Open With if the section isn't already expanded.

1. Click the drop-down menu.
2. Click the app you want to use.

1. Click Change All...
2. Click Continue when the Finder asks you if you're sure.

Now, anytime you open a file with that extension, the Finder will automatically open it with the app you've selected.

How to set your default web browser

1. Launch System Preferences from the dock, Finder, or by clicking the Apple icon in the Menu bar.
2. Click General at the top left of the window.
3. Click the drop-down next to Default web browser.
4. Click the web browser you'd like to use as the default.

How to set your default email reader

Mail is likely the default email app on your Mac, but just in case you have others downloaded, you can set the default reader. Here's how:

1. Launch Mail from your dock or the Finder.
2. Click Mail in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
3. Click Preferences.
4. Click the drop-down next to Default Mail Reader.
5. Click the app you'd like to set as the default.

You can also set default apps on your iPhone and iPad

Now, that you have your favorite apps opening all your files on your best Mac, you should look into switching the default apps on your current iPhone and iPad.

While you don't have as much freedom to set default apps on your iPhone or iPad, you can set the mail and browser apps to be third-party apps of your choosing. So, If you've tried out a few mail and browser apps and have found the one you'd like to use all of the time, learn how to switch out your default mail and browser apps on iOS and iPadOS.

This solution will assist where clients are trying to import reports from a CSV file and they appear on the first column:

For Mac OS version 10.7.4, please follow these instructions:

1. Close the Excel application
2. Click on the Apple button
3. Select System Preferences
4. Select Text and Language
5. Click on Formats
6. Under Numbers select Customize
7. Change the Decimal separator from a comma (,) to a full stop (.)
8. Then click on Ok/Save
9. Test the Excel import again

For Mac OS version 10.8.3, please follow these instructions:

1. Close the Excel application
2. Click on the Apple button
3. Select System Preferences
4. Select Language and Text
5. Click on Region
6. Under Numbers select Customize
7. Change the Decimal separator from a comma (,) to a full stop (.)
8. Then click on Ok/Save
9. Test the Excel import again

For Mac OS version 10.10.1, please follow these instructions:

1. Close the Excel application
2. Click on the Apple button
3. Select System Preferences
4. Select Language and Region
5. Click Advanced
6. Change the Decimal separator from a comma (,) to a full stop (.)
7. Then click on Ok/Save
8. Test the Excel import again

NB: If it does not work, try rebooting the machine, and test again.

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