How To Open Chinese Or Japanese Encoding GWMT CSV Files?

If your site has international presence, most likely you have encountered some funny characters when opened the Google Webmaster Tools (GWMT) export file for Search Queries.

The first time I encountered this problem, I actually re-downloaded the file 3-4 times to make sure the file was not corrupted (silly me huh).

Let me show you how to open the file (or import the file I should say) so it will display these characters correctly.

Download the list of search queries from GWMT

Funny characters found in GWMT export file

Step by step guide to open (import) Chinese / Japanese encoding CSV

Step 1: Open Excel, select “DATA” tab then choose “From text” option under “Get External Data”

Step 2: Open the CSV file and the Text Import Wizard (image below) will pop up.

Step 3: Select “Unicode (UTF-8). Notice the preview will change to something readable.

Step 4: In Step 2, select “comma”. Notice now each item is separated in each cell instead of lumped together.

Step 5: Click finish and it’s all done.

Readable Chinese / Japanese encoding CSV file from GWMT

Now you have a readable import of the CSV file from GWMT!

Watch other Google Search Console guide videos

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Tony

I am an SEO consultant who happens to be interested in affiliate marketing.
I build websites and use them for testing various SEO strategies and tactics.

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