# Character set

Character set is a file specifier for the LOAD statement that defines the character set used in the file.

Syntax:

[](https://help.qlik.com/en-US/qlikview/Subsystems/Client/Content/QV_QlikView/Scripting/ScriptSpecifiers/character-set.htm)utf8 | unicode | ansi | oem | mac | codepage is

Arguments:

Character set arguments

| Argument | Description |
| --- | --- |
| utf8 | UTF-8 character set |
| unicode | Unicode character set |
| ansi | Windows, codepage 1252 |
| oem | DOS, OS/2, AS400 and others |
| mac | Codepage 10000 |
| codepage is | With the codepage specifier, it is possible to use any Windows codepage as N . |

Limitations:

Conversion from the oem character set is not implemented for macOS. If nothing is specified, codepage 1252 is assumed under Windows.

Example:

`LOAD * from a.txt (utf8, txt, delimiter is ',' , embedded labels)` `LOAD * from a.txt (unicode, txt, delimiter is ',' , embedded labels)` `LOAD * from 
 a.txt (codepage is 10000, txt, delimiter is ',' , no labels)`

## Learn more

* [Load](https://help.qlik.com/en-US/qlikview/September2026/Subsystems/Client/Content/QV_QlikView/Scripting/ScriptRegularStatements/Load.htm)