Spreadsheet format
What is a .csv file?
CSV (comma-separated values) is a plain text format for tables. Each line is a row and commas separate the columns, so nearly any program can read it.
It stores only the data: no formulas, formats or extra sheets. Separators and encoding vary, which is why accents or columns sometimes come out wrong.
fileclay opens and writes CSV
CSV vs XLSX vs ODS
| CSV | XLSX | ODS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formulas | No | Yes | Yes |
| Several sheets | No | Yes | Yes |
| Formatting | No | Yes | Yes |
| Opens in | Anything | Spreadsheet apps | Spreadsheet apps |
| Best for | Moving data between apps | Working with Excel | Open-source workflows |
When to use CSV
Good for
- Importing and exporting data
- Contact lists and product catalogs
- Data for scripts and databases
Not a good fit
- Anything with formulas or formatting
- Workbooks with several sheets
- Keeping leading zeros in Excel, which removes them on opening
How to open .csv files
| Platform | App | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Any system | A text editor | Shows the raw text |
| Windows, macOS | Microsoft Excel | May need the import wizard |
| Any system | LibreOffice Calc | Asks for separator and encoding |
| Browsers | Google Sheets | Needs an account |
Convert CSV files
Questions about CSV
Why does my CSV open in a single column?
Excel expects the separator of your region. Files with commas can land in one column where semicolons are the default.
Why do accents look wrong in a CSV?
It’s an encoding mismatch. Saving as UTF-8 usually solves it.
Can a CSV have several sheets?
No. Each sheet needs its own file.
Does CSV keep formulas?
No, only the values.