Comma-Separated Values
What is a .csv file?
CSV (Comma-Separated Values) is a simple file format used to store tabular data, such as spreadsheets or databases. Each line represents a data record, with fields separated by commas.
Technical Details
- Developer
- Various (standardized by RFC 4180)
- First Released
- 1972 (early implementations)
- MIME Type
- text/csv
- Extension
- .csv
What is CSV?
CSV is one of the oldest and most widely used formats for data exchange. Its simplicity makes it universally compatible - virtually every spreadsheet application, database, and programming language can read and write CSV files.
Despite its name, CSV files can use different delimiters (semicolons, tabs) depending on regional settings. This flexibility, while useful, can sometimes cause compatibility issues.
Key Characteristics
- Plain text format
- One record per line
- Fields separated by delimiter
- Optional header row
- Universal compatibility
- Human-readable
How to Open .csv Files
CSV files can be opened with spreadsheet applications or text editors:
- Microsoft Excel
- Google Sheets (free)
- LibreOffice Calc (free)
- Apple Numbers
- Any text editor
Common Uses
- Exporting data from databases
- Importing contacts to email clients
- Data analysis and statistics
- Bank statement exports
- E-commerce product catalogs
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Universal compatibility
- Simple and lightweight
- Human-readable
- Easy to generate
Cons
- No data type information
- No standard for encoding
- Delimiter conflicts possible
- No support for hierarchical data
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