[davwein]

The first line of the file must contain the column names. Is there a blank line at the start of the file or other content that could be confusing the parser? If you post or send me the files I'm happy to investigate this further.

My post included the first lines of the three csv files - each has a list of the columns in the first row.    I obtained these csv files from this forum so I thought they would be correct.  I have attached the two offending csv files.

I have solved my problem.  I took seriously the claim that Excel somehow messes up the semicolon delimiter.  When I use the Libre Office instead to save the CSV files, Mobilesheets has no trouble reading the file.  Its not obvious that Excel messes it up - the files seem the same when observed in an editor, but the proof of the pudding is that mobile sheets reads the Librie files, not the Excel files.