Sample Files
Details
CSV
Comma Separated Values
About
What is .CSV?
A .csv file stores tabular data as plain text, with values separated by commas (or other delimiters). CSV files are used for spreadsheets, datasets, exports/imports, and data interchange across applications.
History
Origin of CSV
The CSV (Comma-Separated Values) format originated in the early days of computing as a simple way to store tabular data in plain text using delimiters. While not governed by a single formal standard, CSV usage became widespread across spreadsheets, databases, and statistical software. The format eventually became referenced in standards such as RFC 4180, which describes common conventions for CSV structure. Due to its simplicity, portability, and ease of parsing, CSV remains one of the most widely used data exchange formats today.
Learn more at: https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc4180
Benefits
Lightweight and human-readable
Compatible with nearly all spreadsheet and database systems
Easy to parse programmatically in any programming language
Ideal for data import/export between applications
Supports large datasets without complex structure
Usage
Open CSV files in Excel, Google Sheets, Numbers, or any spreadsheet software
Import CSV data into databases or data analysis tools like Python, R, or SQL
Use CSV as a universal format for exporting datasets from web apps or APIs
Convert CSV into Excel (.xlsx), JSON, SQL dumps, or charts using processing tools
Use Cases
Common Use Cases
Here are the use cases for this file extension
Data Exchange
Widely used for transferring data between databases, spreadsheets, analytics tools, and web services.
Spreadsheet Imports
Programs like Excel, Google Sheets, and Numbers easily open and export CSV files.
Machine Learning & Analytics
CSV is a standard format for datasets used in data science and statistical modeling.
Compatibility
Supported By
This extension is compatible with the following platforms.
Windows
macOS
Linux
Android (via apps)
iOS (via apps)
Web Browsers (viewable or downloadable)
More Details
Technical Specs
Here are some technical details about this extension
File Extension
.csv
MIME Type
text/csv
Encoding Support
ASCII, UTF-8, UTF-16
Delimiter
Comma (default), but may use semicolon, tab, or pipe
Quoting Rules
Uses double quotes for fields containing commas or newlines
Metadata Support
None (flat text structure)
Typical Use
Tabular data storage, spreadsheets, data exchange, analytics
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Got Questions?
Get answers to common questions
In regions where the comma is used as a decimal separator, applications often use semicolons. CSV technically allows any delimiter, but commas and semicolons are most common.
CSV files can be opened and saved as Excel in programs like Excel or Google Sheets. Tools like Python Pandas or FFmpeg’s utilities (for text processing) can convert CSV into JSON or other formats.