---
title: ".csv file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .csv file is a Comma-Separated Values. A spreadsheet as plain text, one row per line — the universal data exchange format. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/csv/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .csv files

**.csv file: Comma-Separated Values**

A spreadsheet as plain text, one row per line — the universal data exchange format.

## What opens a .csv file

- **Windows:** Microsoft Excel, LibreOffice Calc, Notepad (built in), Visual Studio Code
- **macOS:** Numbers (built in), Microsoft Excel, LibreOffice Calc, TextEdit (built in)
- **Linux:** LibreOffice Calc, Text Editor (built in), Gnumeric
- **In a browser:** Google Sheets

## What a .csv file is

CSV stores tabular data as text with commas between fields, described by RFC 4180. Every spreadsheet, database and analytics tool imports it, which is why exports default to it. The pitfalls are real: no formatting or formulas survive, fields containing commas must be quoted, and in locales that use a comma as the decimal separator Excel expects semicolons instead, which is why a CSV sometimes lands entirely in column A.

## Converting it

A .csv file is commonly converted to .xlsx, .json, .tsv, .pdf or .parquet. It is a plain text format, so any text editor can open and edit it directly.

## Details

- **Extension:** .csv
- **Full name:** Comma-Separated Values
- **Category:** Data
- **MIME type:** text/csv
- **Created by:** IETF (RFC 4180)
- **Format:** Plain text

## Common questions

### How do I open a .csv file?

On Windows use Microsoft Excel; on macOS use Numbers (built in); on Linux use LibreOffice Calc. A spreadsheet as plain text, one row per line — the universal data exchange format.

### What is a .csv file?

Comma-Separated Values. CSV stores tabular data as text with commas between fields, described by RFC 4180. Every spreadsheet, database and analytics tool imports it, which is why exports default to it.

### Can I convert a .csv file?

Yes. It is usually converted to .xlsx, .json, .tsv, .pdf or .parquet, either by exporting from one of the programs listed above or with a format converter.

## Related pages

- [.json — JavaScript Object Notation](https://atoneplace.net/file/json/)
- [.xml — Extensible Markup Language](https://atoneplace.net/file/xml/)
- [.yaml — YAML Data File](https://atoneplace.net/file/yaml/)
- [.log — Log File](https://atoneplace.net/file/log/)
- [.torrent — BitTorrent Metainfo File](https://atoneplace.net/file/torrent/)
- [.dat — Generic Data File](https://atoneplace.net/file/dat/)
- [.vcf — vCard Contact File](https://atoneplace.net/file/vcf/)
- [.sql — SQL Script](https://atoneplace.net/file/sql/)
- [.ics — iCalendar Event](https://atoneplace.net/file/ics/)
- [.sqlite — SQLite Database](https://atoneplace.net/file/sqlite/)
- [.db — Generic Database File](https://atoneplace.net/file/db/)
- [.bin — Binary File](https://atoneplace.net/file/bin/)

## Sources

- Media Types Registry — IANA (https://www.iana.org/assignments/media-types/)
- Official vendor product documentation — At One Place (/about/)