Problem with encoding exporting a CSV file

Question

I'm using Asp.net mvc to generate a CSV file, but I'm having problems with special characters in portuguese language. I'm using the following code to return the file:

public FileContentResult RelMatriculas(RelRematriculaVM model)
{
    string fileContent = GenerateTheFile();
    Response.Charset = "utf-8";
    Response.ContentEncoding = Encoding.UTF8;
    return File(new UTF8Encoding().GetBytes(fileContent), "text/csv", "RelMatriculas.csv");
}

I'm setting utf8 as the encoding, but when a save the file and try to open it in Excel, I see junk characters instead of the special ones.

If I just open the file in notepad and save it, then open it again on excel, is show the characters correctly. Am I missing something to output the file as UTF8?

Using encoding with BOM might help: new UTF8Encoding(true), or just Encoding.UTF8 — tukaef
– tukaef, Commented Mar 19, 2019 at 17:44

Magnetron · Accepted Answer · 2019-03-19 17:51:03Z

15

The problem is Excel expects BOM. From this SO answer:

var data = Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes(fileContent);
var result = Encoding.UTF8.GetPreamble().Concat(data).ToArray();
return File(result, "text/csv", "RelMatriculas.csv");

answered Mar 19, 2019 at 17:51

Magnetron

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