Heeeey lemlister! 👋
Annoyed by those � symbols (diamond-wrapped question marks) in your CSV file? No worries! This happens when your file isn’t saved with the correct encoding—UTF-8. Let’s fix that!
Why Encoding Matters
CSV files need to be UTF-8 encoded to handle special characters and non-English text properly. Many tools, like MS Excel, save files in different encoding standards depending on the operating system, causing display issues.
Here’s how you can save your CSV file in UTF-8 encoding using popular tools.
Fix 1: Save CSV as UTF-8 Using Google Docs
1️⃣ Upload Your File to Google Docs
Go to Google Sheets and create new Sheet
Select File and click on Open to upload your CSV.
2️⃣ Convert to Google Docs Format
In the upload settings, select “Convert text to numbers dates and formulas”
Click Import data.
3️⃣ Download as UTF-8 CSV
Once the file is uploaded you need to export it as UTF-8 CSV file
Go to File > Download > Comma-separated values (.csv).
The downloaded file will now be UTF-8 encoded.
Fix 2: Save CSV as UTF-8 Using Open Office
1️⃣ Open Your File
If possible, open it directly as a UTF-8 file.
2️⃣ Save as CSV
Go to File > Save As…
Select Text CSV as the file type.
3️⃣ Set Encoding
In the Character Set field, choose Unicode (UTF-8).
Set the Field Delimiter to a comma (
,).
Why Google Docs Is a Great Option
Google Docs automatically convert files to UTF-8 encoding when exporting them as CSV. This ensures compatibility with lemlist and prevents issues with special characters.
Still Need Help?
If you’re stuck or need assistance fixing your CSV file, don’t hesitate to reach out to us via chat. We’re here to help, lemlister! 🤗
Enjoy flawless uploads and happy emailing! ❤️