# How do I create a tab delimited text file?

Depending on which spreadsheet software you are using, follow the steps below to save your file in the correct format.

#### Using Microsoft Excel

1. Open the **File** menu and select **Save As...**
2. In the file destination window, look for the **Save as type** dropdown box.
3. Select the **Text (tab delimited) (\*.txt)** option.
4. Click **Save**.
5. If Excel displays warning messages about formatting or features being lost, click **OK** or **Yes**.

#### Using Google Sheets

1. Open the **File** menu in the top-left corner.
2. Hover over the **Download** option.
3. Select **Tab-separated values (.tsv, current sheet)**.
4. The file will automatically download to your computer.