What is CSV?
CSV (Comma-Separated Values) is a plain text format that stores tabular data as rows of values separated by commas, making it the most universal format for exchanging spreadsheet and database data between applications.
What is it?
CSV (Comma-Separated Values) is a plain text format that stores tabular data as rows of values separated by commas, making it the most universal format for exchanging spreadsheet and database data between applications.
Understanding CSV helps you choose the right format for your specific needs and workflow.
Technical Specifications
Pros & Cons
Advantages
Every spreadsheet app, database, and programming language can read and write CSV without special libraries.
CSV is plain text - you can open and edit it in any text editor and immediately understand the data.
No formatting, no metadata - CSV files are extremely compact compared to XLSX or database exports.
Any application or script can produce valid CSV with a simple loop, making it ideal for data exports.
Disadvantages
Everything is stored as text - dates, numbers, and booleans must be interpreted by the receiving application.
CSV stores only raw data - no bold text, colors, merged cells, or any visual formatting.
Special characters and non-ASCII text often cause problems when files are opened in different locales.
CSV cannot represent relational data or multiple tables - you need multiple files or a different format.
When to Use It
Here are the most common scenarios where CSV is the right choice:
Database Exports
Exporting database tables to CSV for backup, analysis, or migration to another system.
Data Analysis
Input format for Python pandas, R, Excel, and virtually every data analysis tool.
CRM and Marketing Data
Contact lists, email subscriber exports, and sales data shared between marketing tools.
Application Integration
Moving data between applications that do not share a native integration or API.
Convert Your Files Online - Free
Our free online converter supports all major formats. No software to install, no registration required.
Start Converting NowFrequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between CSV and Excel?
CSV is plain text with just data. Excel (XLSX) includes formatting, formulas, multiple sheets, and charts. CSV is for data portability; XLSX is for spreadsheet work.
Why does my CSV look wrong in Excel?
Usually an encoding issue (UTF-8 vs ANSI) or delimiter mismatch. Use Data > From Text/CSV import in Excel to specify encoding.
Can CSV have commas in the data?
Yes - values containing commas must be wrapped in double quotes. Most CSV parsers handle this automatically.
What encoding should I use for CSV?
UTF-8 with BOM is safest for international characters and Excel compatibility. Pure UTF-8 works best for programming use.
Is TSV better than CSV?
TSV (tab-separated) avoids comma conflicts in data but is less universally supported. For most use cases, CSV is the safer choice.