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What is a .csv file?
A .csv file is a table stored as plain text, with commas separating the columns. Spreadsheets and databases use it as a universal exchange format.
How to open a .csv file
- WindowsExcel
- WindowsLibreOffice Calc
- WindowsNotepad, to see the raw text
- MacNumbers
- MacExcel
- LinuxLibreOffice Calc
- Linux`column -s, -t file.csv | less`
How to convert a .csv file
- Open in a spreadsheet and Save As .xlsx to keep formatting and formulas.
- Watch out: Excel likes to mangle long numbers and dates on import — use Data → From Text for control.
MIME type
When a .csv file travels over the web, servers label it with this MIME type:
text/csvThe technical record
For archivists, developers and the merely curious: these are the PRONOM registry entries for .csv.
| Format name | Version | MIME type | PUID |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comma Separated Values | — | text/csv | x-fmt/18 |