Opening a CSV File

The CSV file type is primarily associated with Excel.

CSV	File extension: CSV
	File type:	comma seperated values file

What is a CSV file?

CSV files mostly belong to Excel by Microsoft. A CSV file is a plain text file containing list of data delimited by comma. Each and every data set in a CSV separated by commas is a new database row and each database row consisting of one or more fields is also separated by a comma. It is often used by spreadsheet programs including:

- Microsoft Excel
- Google Sheets
- LibreOffice Calc

Data Stored in a CSV file: The data contained by CSV file present in a tabular form. For a simple CSV file, text between two commas goes to a cell and each new line goes to a unique row of the table. Data of a CSV file can be seen in raw format in a text editor like Notepad.
Main Usage: The plain text format makes it easier to organize large amount of data. The ubiquitous structure allows easy export of complex data from one application to a CSV file, and then import of that CSV file into another application. Hence, it makes exchanging data between two different spreadsheet formats easier by acting as a mediator.

How to open CSV files

You need a suitable software like Excel to open a CSV file. Without proper software you will receive a Windows message "How do you want to open this file?" or "Windows cannot open this file" or a similar Mac/iPhone/Android alert. If you cannot open your CSV file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a CSV file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online CSV Text Viewer

Choose your .csv file to view

or drag and drop it here

Online File Viewer

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How to convert CSV files to JPG, PDF, HTML, DOC, ...

If you want to convert or edit a CSV file, you can use our free Online CSV File Converter (powered by Convert.Guru):

Just click the "Choose your .csv file to view" button on this page.
After your file is opened in browser,
click "Save as..." in the menu.
Then click the file format (e.g. PDF, JPG, DOCX, TXT, ...) you want.
Your file will be converted and downloaded.

Programs that open and convert CSV files:

Excel by Microsoft
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. CSV files are often referred to as Excel simple text files because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
Boso View Express Trainsim (railway structure data file) by mackoy (Takashi Kojima)
Boso View Express Trainsim (BVE Trainsim) is a Japanese 3D train driving simulator for Windows. The CSV file format is used by BVE Trainsim to store railway structure data. This file format is classified as Game. Related links: BVE Trainsim on Wikipedia, BE Trainsim Gameplay
Calc (comma seperated values file) by The Document Foundation
Calc is a spreadsheet software that is a part of the LibreOffice suite of applications from The Document Foundation. CSV stands for comma separated values. A CSV file is a simple text file that stores database records separated by commas. Each new line in the file represents a new database row. CSV files can be opened, created, and edited by many spreadsheet and database software, including Calc. This file format is classified as Simple text file. Related links: Calc on Wikipedia, Open and Save CSV Files in Calc, Create CSV File Using Calc
CompuShow (CompuShow EGA/VGA palette file) by Canyon State Systems
CompuShow is a tool that allows users to view images and prepare them for CompuServe forums and bulletin board systems. The CSV file format is used for the EGA/VGA palette file in CompuShow. This file format is classified as Data. Related links: CompuShow FAQs

CSV file format:

The file format, which is the arrangement and type of data in a file, determines which program can open the file. Each file format has a unique extension and almost always a unique signature. For example, Microsoft Word documents have the extension .docx and the signature (usually the first 3 characters in this file) PK. However, different programs can use the same file extension. Furthermore, a file extension can be renamed incorrectly and double-clicking on it will then display an error when it is opened. So you need a detailed analysis of a file to find out the format and the associated program. Our examination of the CSV files comes to the following conclusion:

CSV is a very common file type and contains well-defined data in an established structure that can be read by various programs. The two most popular formats are as follows:

60% of all CSV files are comma-separated values files. The contents of these files are easily readable with a text editor. The files are on average 5 KB in size and range from 130 bytes to 450 KB. This file type is based on cutting-edge technology. The keywords Name are typical for these files. Such files are related to contacts, export, data, history, list, details, sample and google.

The remaining 40% of all CSV files are files with no common format. These files sometimes refer to report, template, transactions, import, activity or account. You can get all the details of your CSV file by dragging it onto this page or by clicking the button "Choose your .csv file to view" above.

Technical Data for CSV File Extension

File classification:

Simple text file

Related files:

cvs, scv, check, xlsx, cev, csw, cse, scsv, txt, xls, ccv, sylk, pdf, csc, crv, cvc, zip, csf, json, csb, iqy, dex

Mime type:

text/csv, application/csv, application/x-csv

The following listing is compiled from the database produced by the 'Associate This!' program, selected data from the main FILExt database and file extension information submitted by users.

ProgramID: File_Verification_Database, FileType: File Verification Database, AppName: QuickSFV
EXEFile: QuickSFV.EXE

ProgramID: Excel.CSV
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office 2003\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE /e

ProgramID: Excel.CSV
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office10\EXCEL.EXE /e

ProgramID: Excel.CSV
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE /e

ProgramID: Excel.CSV
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office\excel.exe /e

ProgramID: Excel.CSV
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office_XP\Office10\EXCEL.EXE /e

ProgramID: Excel.CSV
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\office97\Office\excel.exe /e

ProgramID: Excel.CSV
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\OfficeXP\Office10\EXCEL.EXE /e

ProgramID: Excel.CSV
EXEFile: D:\Microsoft Office\Office10\EXCEL.EXE /e

ProgramID: Excel.CSV
EXEFile: F:\Microsoft Office\Office\excel.exe /e

ProgramID: Excel.CSV
EXEFile: F:\office97\Office\excel.exe /e

ProgramID: Excel.CSV
EXEFile: W:\OfficeXP\FILES\PFILES\MSOFFICE\OFFICE10\EXCEL.EXE /e

ProgramID: File_Verification_Database
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\QuickSFV\QuickSFV.EXE %1

ProgramID: EasySpreadsheet.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\EasyOffice\EASYSPREADSHEET.EXE %1

ProgramID: Excel.CSV
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE /e

ProgramID: Excel.CSV
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office 2007\Office12\EXCEL.EXE /e

ProgramID: EasySpreadsheet.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles% PER UFFICIO\EASYSPREADSHEET.EXE

ProgramID: GoogleToolbar.csv.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MOZILL~1\firefox.exe -GoogleToolbar .csv

ProgramID: Excel.CSV
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office2007\Office12\EXCEL.EXE /e

ProgramID: GoogleToolbar.csv.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Mozilla Firefox 3.5 Beta 4\firefox.exe -GoogleToolbar .csv

Show all 20 listings To Top

a csv comma seperated values file is a special file format by Microsoft and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with CSV files

Associate the CSV file extension with the correct application.
Update your software that should actually open comma seperated values files. Because only the current version supports the latest CSV file format. Search, therefore, e.g. on the Microsoft manufacturer website after an available Excel update.
To make sure that your CSV file is not corrupted or virus-infected, get the file again and scan it with Google's virustotal.com.
Click here to open your .CSV file online - secure, fast, and no downloads needed.