---
title: New CSV encoding option for Excel compatibility
date: 2026-04-23
description: CSV and ZIP exports now include a UTF-8 BOM by default so non-English characters open correctly in Excel.
tags: ["Exports"]
categories: ["Changelog"]
url: https://www.getaltera.com/changelog/2026-04-23-csv-exports-utf8-bom/
---


CSV and ZIP exports now have a new encoding option, with the UTF-8 BOM turned on by default so non-English characters open correctly in Excel.

### What's New

- **Excel compatibility (UTF-8 BOM)** - New setting under Advanced options on the export create page, enabled by default for CSV and ZIP (multiple CSV) exports so accented and non-Latin characters render correctly when opened in Excel.
- **Opt out when needed** - Switch the option to **UTF-8 (no BOM)** if a downstream system (an automated importer, a script, or a data pipeline) doesn't expect a byte-order mark.
- **CLI support** - Use `--csv-encoding utf-8` with `altera export create` to turn the BOM off from the command line.