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I exported a list (with two columns) to a .csv file with Mathematica, and the first few lines are,

-3.141592653589793,-942.4277659056601-7.514067804073956*^-12*I
-3.141592653589793,155.66354907107547-5.760593016133258*^-13*I
-3.141592653589793,-101.00525445626336-1.443383665316593*^-14*I

To export, I used the command

Export["table.csv", a]

When I import this table, Mathematica cannot interpret the complex numbers in the second column properly. How do I properly import this csv file into a table?

In[1]:= a = Import["table.csv"];

In[2]:= a[[1]]

Out[2]= {-3.14159, "-942.4277659056601-7.514067804073956*^-12*I"}

In[3]:= Re[a[[1]]]

Out[3]= {-3.14159, Re["-942.4277659056601-7.514067804073956*^-12*I"]}
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1 Answer 1

Reset to default
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This should interpret the complex number strings:

blist = ToExpression[#] & /@ a

{{-3.14159, -942.428 - 7.51407*10^-12 I}, {-3.14159, 
  155.664 - 5.76059*10^-13 I}, {-3.14159, -101.005 - 
   1.44338*10^-14 I}}
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  • $\begingroup$ It works. Could you explain the meaning of the syntax ToExpression[#] & /@? $\endgroup$
    – Archisman Panigrahi
    Oct 12, 2021 at 15:04
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    $\begingroup$ ToExpression[#]& is a pure function with one slot called #. This is where the input goes. The & is the end of the function. The /@ is Mapping this function to each item in the list a. In plain English: Convert the string encountered to an Mma expression as you walk down the list a. If a list is encountered it changes its elements to expressions. $\endgroup$
    – Syed
    Oct 12, 2021 at 15:09
  • $\begingroup$ @Syed Why not ToExpression /@ a? $\endgroup$
    – MarcoB
    Oct 13, 2021 at 2:26
  • $\begingroup$ @MarcoB The shortened form is indeed better. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. $\endgroup$
    – Syed
    Oct 13, 2021 at 14:16

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