import csv file, how to set default column properties

Hi

I produce a CSV file from a mainframe application which users must import into Excel.

I need to know how I can influence the import wizard into selecting a numeric field with for example leading zeros as a text Column.

I know I can use the import wizard to manually set the desired columns to text, or write a macro to set the column to text, but as I wont be physically doing the import, I want to make it as easy as possible for the user who receives the comma delimeted mainframe file, to import into a blank worksheet on his workstation.

I have tried inserting a single leading apostrophe into the csv file for a value that i wish to be treated as text, [as you can when you type into a cell ] but that imports the apostraphe rather than setting the cell to text.

I would welcome any suggestions as to how I could achieve this

Thanks

This can be done by creating a database connection to the csv file and using a Schema.ini file to specify the data types for each column in the csv file.
The Schema.ini file has to be in the same folder as the csv file. Here is an example:

test.csv file:
id, description, quantity, cost
00000001,aa,4,5.00
00000002,bb,5,5.50
00000003,cc,6,7.25
00000004,dd,7,8.51
00000005,ee,8,8.94
00000006,ff,9,10.08
00000007,gg,10,11.59

Schema.ini file:
[test.csv]
ColNameHeader=True
Format=CSVDelimited
Col1=ID Text
Col2=Description Text
Col3=Quantity Integer
Col4=Cost Currency

Create Database connection:
Data > Import External Data > New Database Query.
Select <New Data Source>
In Create New Data Source,
1. choose a name
2. select the driver - Microsoft Text Driver (*.txt, *.csv)
3. click Connect and in ODBC Text Setup select the folder containing the csv file
4. select a default table - the csv file (optional)

In Query Wizard, choose the columns from the table and click Next through each dialog to Finish.
In Import Data choose a cell and click OK.
When the CSV file changes select a data cell and click Refresh Data on the External Data toolbar (or right-click a data cell).