---
title: "Importing Users: Encoding a CSV File"
slug: "importing-users-encoding-a-csv-file"
updated: 2024-07-23T13:44:05Z
published: 2024-07-23T13:44:05Z
canonical: "support.smarteru.com/importing-users-encoding-a-csv-file"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://support.smarteru.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Importing Users: Encoding a CSV File

PREREQUISITE STEP[Create a CSV file](/v1/docs/importing-users-creating-a-csv-file)

Encoding a CSV file only needs be completed if one of the following is true:

- The CSV file contains accented characters (e.g., é, ô, Ñ, etc...).
- The CSV file was created using a supported language with non-Roman characters (i.e., Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Korean, or Thai).

In this part of the user import process, you'll encode the CSV file.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/7efaadab-fef6-4186-806a-2ca14c9ce9ea/Images/Documentation/importing-users---encoding-a-csv-file-image-z38i4tq3.png)

Encoding a CSV file ensures the data in your file can be properly processed by SmarterU. Depending on how a file is encoded, accented or non-Roman characters may be stripped or simplified during the saving process.

You may encode your file using either of the following:

- [Excel](/v1/docs/importing-users-encoding-a-csv-file#encoding-a-file-using-excel) [](/v1/docs/importing-users-encoding-a-csv-file#encoding-a-file-using-google-drive)
- [Google Drive](/v1/docs/importing-users-encoding-a-csv-file#encoding-a-file-using-google-drive)
- [Notepad](/v1/docs/importing-users-encoding-a-csv-file#encoding-a-file-using-notepad)

## Encoding a File Using Excel

To encode a CSV file using Excel:

1. Locate your CSV file.
2. Right-click the file.
3. Select **Open With**, then select **Excel**.
4. From Excel's File menu, select Save As.
5. From the Save As panel's list of file types, select *CSV UTF-8*.

![Import Users - Encoding in Excel 20240717](https://cdn.document360.io/7efaadab-fef6-4186-806a-2ca14c9ce9ea/Images/Documentation/Import%20Users%20-%20Encoding%20in%20Excel%2020240717.png)

1. Click **Save**.

**NEXT STEP:** [Upload the CSV File to SmarterU](/v1/docs/importing-users-uploading-the-csv-file)

## Encoding a File Using Google Drive

To encode a CSV file using Google Drive:

1. From Google Drive, create a new spreadsheet.
2. Copy your data from the original Excel file and paste it to the new spreadsheet.
3. From the **File** menu, select **Download As**.
4. From the **Download As** menu, select **Comma-separated values (.csv, current sheet)**.

![CSV](https://cdn.document360.io/7efaadab-fef6-4186-806a-2ca14c9ce9ea/Images/Documentation/CSV.png)

The Save As window displays.

1. From the **Save As** window, navigate to the location where you would like to save your file.
2. Click **Save**.

**NEXT STEP:** [Upload the CSV File to SmarterU](/v1/docs/importing-users-uploading-the-csv-file)

## Encoding a File Using Notepad

To encode a CSV file using Notepad:

1. Locate your CSV file.
2. Right-click the file.
3. Select **Open With**, then select **Notepad**.

If Notepad is not available from the Open With menu, you can open Notepad from the Windows start menu, then open your CSV file from Notepad.

1. From Notepad's **File** menu, select **Save As**. The Save window displays.
2. In the Save window's **Encoding** list, select *UTF-8*.

![UTF](https://cdn.document360.io/7efaadab-fef6-4186-806a-2ca14c9ce9ea/Images/Documentation/UTF.png)

1. Click **Save**.

**NEXT STEP:** [Upload the CSV File to SmarterU](/v1/docs/importing-users-uploading-the-csv-file)

## Related

- [Importing Users](/importing-users.md)
- [Importing Users: Assigning Groups and Group Permissions](/importing-users-assigning-groups-and-group-permissions.md)
- [Importing Users: Creating a CSV File](/importing-users-creating-a-csv-file.md)
- [Importing Users: Mapping Data](/importing-users-mapping-data.md)
- [Importing Users: Previewing Data](/importing-users-previewing-data.md)
- [Importing Users: Uploading the CSV File](/importing-users-uploading-the-csv-file.md)
- [Importing Users: User Import Report](/importing-users-user-import-report.md)
- [Importing Users: Verifying New Items](/importing-users-verifying-new-items.md)