How to Properly Import CSV Files into Excel Without Data Loss

### The Double-Click Trap

Double-clicking a `.csv` file directly opens it in Excel using automatic type inference. Excel will automatically:
- Strip leading zeros (e.g., zip code `02134` becomes number `2134`).
- Convert long numbers (e.g. credit cards or tracking IDs) into scientific notation (`4.52E+14`).
- Reformat dates into default locale styles.

### The Correct Import Method
1. Launch Excel and create a **New Blank Workbook**.
2. Navigate to **Data** tab > **Get Data** > **From File** > **From Text/CSV**.
3. Select your file and set Data Type Detection to **Do Not Detect Data Types**.
4. Click **Transform Data** to verify column types before loading.