LibreOffice and OpenOffice saving as CSV files

I was trying for a very long time to import some financial data.  It required me to enter my data into a csv file and upload it.  This was for Xero, my bookkeeping service.  With their help I was able to figure out my problem.  Like many things, the assumption is everyone uses Microsoft Office.  I don’t understand where this came from but it has been a frustration of mine for some time.  With google apps, Office 365, LibreOffice, OpenOffice and many others, there are lots of choices for an individual to choose from.  Many of my clients request Microsoft Office.  Usually when I tell them the cost and that they should try some free alternatives, they are fine with the alternatives.

I like Excel.  In fact, the whole Microsoft suite with the exception of Outlook is great.  It’s just overkill for most people.  Spend that money on something else like a nicer monitor or memory or both!

I’m not sure if this is a bug or a design flaw or just human error on my part.  Logically, I can’t make it work.  In order to get this file to save properly as a CSV in Calc, I had to choose save as and then choose Edit Filter settings.  Shouldn’t that option be before Save As?  In any event, after choosing those options it then worked fine for me.  It took me awhile to figure it out until I found a post on another board here.  Should anyone have any issues trying this, leave a comment and I will try to help.

LibreOffice is an excellent alternative to Microsoft Office.  I just wish the business community would wake up and realize this.  Actually, Google apps is a great alternative as well but still has some nagging issues for me.