3 Easy Ways to Split Excel Sheets into Separate TXT Files

Working with spreadsheets is a common task in many industries, especially when dealing with data analysis, reporting, and financial management. Microsoft Excel remains one of the most popular tools for these purposes due to its robust features for data manipulation. However, there are times when you need to convert your Excel data into a different format, like TXT (Text) files, for further processing or integration with other systems. Here are three straightforward methods to split Excel sheets into separate TXT files.

Using Excel VBA Macros

Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) allows for complex automation within Excel. Here’s how you can split each sheet into separate text files:

• Open your Excel workbook and press ALT + F11 to open the VBA editor.
• Go to Insert > Module to create a new module.
• Copy and paste the following VBA code:

Sub SplitExcelToText()
    Dim ws As Worksheet
    Dim FilePath As String
    
    FilePath = ThisWorkbook.Path & "\" ' Setting the path where files will be saved
    
    For Each ws In ThisWorkbook.Worksheets
        ws.Copy
        ActiveWorkbook.SaveAs Filename:=FilePath & ws.Name & ".txt", FileFormat:=xlText, CreateBackup:=False
        ActiveWorkbook.Close False
    Next ws
End Sub

This script will create a separate TXT file for each worksheet in your current workbook.

💡 Note: Make sure the directory path is writable before running the macro.

Using Excel’s Built-in Text File Option

If you’re not comfortable with VBA or prefer a more manual approach, you can use Excel’s built-in capabilities to save individual sheets as text files:

• Right-click on the tab of the worksheet you want to save.
• Select Move or Copy.
• In the dialog box, choose (new book) under To book: and check Create a copy.
• Save the new workbook as a text file:
  • Go to File > Save As.
  • Choose Text (Tab delimited) (*.txt) from the dropdown menu.
  • Provide a file name and click Save.
• Repeat these steps for each worksheet you want to convert to TXT.

💡 Note: This method is ideal for handling individual sheets or when automation is not required.

Using Third-Party Tools or Add-ins

For users who prefer not to deal with VBA or manual processes, several third-party tools and Excel add-ins exist to streamline this conversion:

• Excel Add-ins: Look for tools like "Save Each Sheet" or "Split Workbook" which automate the process with a simple button click.
• Software Solutions: Programs like Power Query, Tableau Prep, or custom Python or R scripts can also be employed to convert Excel files into TXT format systematically.

Comparison of Methods

To wrap up, whether you choose VBA macros, Excel’s built-in features, or third-party tools, splitting Excel sheets into separate TXT files can be done efficiently. Each method has its advantages, tailored to different user preferences regarding automation, setup, and complexity. Remember that choosing the right tool depends on how often you perform this task, your comfort with technology, and your willingness to invest time in setup for future efficiency.

Can I use these methods to split CSV files?

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Yes, you can adapt these methods for CSV files. However, keep in mind that CSV files are already plain text, so you might only need to separate sheets if your CSV files are organized in an Excel workbook.

Are there any risks when using VBA macros?

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Macros can execute actions that might alter data unintentionally. Always make backups before running macros, and consider using macro settings to prevent malicious macros from running.

What’s the advantage of using TXT files over Excel files?

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TXT files are universally readable, take up less space, and can be processed more easily by other systems or programming languages that might not support Excel formats directly.