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What is a CSV file?
What is a CSV file?
Jen Duff avatar
Written by Jen Duff
Updated over a week ago

Overview

What does CSV mean?

CSV stands for 'comma-separated values'. Therefore, a CSV file is a text file that uses a comma to separate values.

Each line of the file is a data record. Each record consists of one or more fields, separated by commas.

Why use CSV format?

CSV files are mostly used for importing and exporting important information to and from a database.

Is a CSV file an Excel file?

CSV and Excel are two formats developed to store the data in the database. You can view either format as a table in Microsoft Excel software, Google Sheets.

You can quickly tell which type of format is used by looking at the end of the file name. For CSV files you will see .csv at the end of the file name. Whereas for excel files you will see .xls or .xlsx

CSV File example:

How do I save my file as a CSV?

Microsoft Excel

  1. Open the spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel

  2. Click File > Save As

  3. Name your file

  4. Open the file format/type field (wording may slightly differ depending on the computer you're using - see examples below)

  5. Select "Comma-separated Values (.csv)"

  6. Click "Save"

Apple/ Mac will show the "File Format" field to change to CSV:

PC will show the "Save as Type" field to change to CSV:

Google Sheets

  1. Open the spreadsheet in Google Sheets

  2. Name your file

  3. Click File > Download As

  4. Open the file format/type field

  5. Select "Comma Separated Values (.csv)"

  6. The file will save in your Downloads folder

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