How to save Excel file as csv with UTF-16 formatting

Question

I am having an issue with Excel not saving my files properly. I have a list of data which is organized into three columns: String String INt.

I want to read this file into a Java program to perform some calculations. Excel exporting as a .csv file causes me to lose significant data as a result of the native UTF-8 encoding. I can save it as a UTF-16 .txt file however, I get another annoying result. If i insert columns of commas between each field field it saves the commas with quotes around it! I have seen some solutions to this problem but they do not preserve the UTF-16 encoding.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Solution

1. In excel save file as CSV(Comma delimited)
2. Open saved CSV file in notepad++
3. Encoding -> Convert tO UCS-2 Big Endian

Done.