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What is a CSV file? A CSV file is a comma-separated values file commonly used by spreadsheet programs such as Microsoft Excel or OpenOffice Calc. It contains plain text data sets separated by commas, with each new line in the CSV file representing a new database row and each database row consisting of one or more fields separated by a comma.

More Information CSV file open in Microsoft Excel 365 The CSV data exchange format is supported by many personal, business, and scientific programs. The format is especially useful in transferring tabular data between programs and databases because of its wide support. The file is also helpful for transferring data saved in a proprietary format, such as an .XLSX file, into another program that does not support the XLSX format. For example, you can export financial data in an XLSX file opened in Microsoft Excel to a CSV file to upload it to an online financial management service. Or, you can export thousands of contacts from an email service to a CSV file then import the file into an address organizer or another email service.

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.CSV File Extension

Comma-Separated Values File

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NEW: Open your .CSV file online with File Helper . View Online

What is a CSV file?

A CSV file is a comma-separated values file commonly used by spreadsheet programs such as Microsoft Excel or OpenOffice Calc. It contains plain text data sets separated by commas, with each new line in the CSV file representing a new database row and each database row consisting of one or more fields separated by a comma.

More Information

CSV file open in Microsoft Excel 365

The CSV data exchange format is supported by many personal, business, and scientific programs. The format is especially useful in transferring tabular data between programs and databases because of its wide support.

The file is also helpful for transferring data saved in a proprietary format, such as an .XLSX file, into another program that does not support the XLSX format. For example, you can export financial data in an XLSX file opened in Microsoft Excel to a CSV file to upload it to an online financial management service. Or, you can export thousands of contacts from an email service to a CSV file then import the file into an address organizer or another email service.

How to open a CSV file

You can open CSV files with a large number of applications, including Microsoft Excel (multiplatform), OpenOffice Calc (multiplatform), Corel Quattro Pro (Windows), and Apple Numbers . You can upload CSV files to Google Sheets and view, edit, save, and convert the files. And you can open CSV files with various mobile apps, including Microsoft Excel (Android and iOS), Apple Numbers (iOS), and Google Sheets (Android and iOS).

Since CSV files are saved as plain text you can open them with a plain text editor, such as Microsoft Notepad (Windows) and Apple TextEdit (macOS).

How to convert a CSV file

Several applications, including Microsoft Excel, Apple Numbers, and LibreOffice Calc, can convert CSV files to other formats.

For example, you can select File → Save As in the Windows and Mac versions of Microsoft Excel to convert CSV files to one of the following formats:

Programs that open CSV files

Sort

Pricing

Program Name

Platform

Reset

X

Windows

File Viewer Plus

Get it from Microsoft

Free +

Microsoft Excel 365

Free Trial

Corel Quattro Pro 2021

Free Trial

OpenOffice Calc

Free

LibreOffice

Free

Intuit Quicken

Free Trial

Microsoft Notepad

Included with OS

Microsoft Wordpad

Any text editor

Mac

Microsoft Excel 365

Free Trial

Apple Numbers

Included with OS

Planamesa NeoOffice

Discontinued

Paid

OpenOffice Calc

Free

LibreOffice

Free

Apple TextEdit

Included with OS

Any text editor

Linux

OpenOffice Calc

Free

LibreOffice

Free

Vim

Free

Any text editor

Web

FileHelper.com

Free

Google Sheets

Free

Microsoft Excel 365

Free Trial

FreshBooks

Free Trial

Intuit QuickBooks Canada

Paid

Sage One

Free Trial

Polaris Office Web Sheet

Free

iOS

Apple Numbers

Free

Google Sheets

Free

MobiSystems OfficeSuite Pro

Free +

Microsoft Excel

Free +

Android

File Viewer for Android

Free +

Google Sheets

Free

MobiSystems OfficeSuite Pro

Free +

Microsoft Excel

Free +

Category: Data Files

Updated: November 2, 2023

FAQ

What is a CSV file?
A CSV file is a comma-separated values file commonly used by spreadsheet programs such as Microsoft Excel or OpenOffice Calc. It contains plain text data sets separated by commas, with each new line in the CSV file representing a new database row and each database row consisting of one or more fields separated by a comma.
How do I open a .csv file?
You can open CSV files with a large number of applications, including Microsoft Excel (multiplatform), OpenOffice Calc (multiplatform), Corel Quattro Pro (Windows), and Apple Numbers. You can upload CSV files to Google Sheets and view, edit, save, and convert the files. And you can open CSV files with various mobile apps, including Microsoft Excel (Android and iOS), Apple Numbers (iOS), and Google Sheets (Android and iOS).
How do I convert a .csv file?
Several applications, including Microsoft Excel, Apple Numbers, and LibreOffice Calc, can convert CSV files to other formats.