CSV

Short for comma-separated values, CSV is tabular data that is saved as plaintext data separated by commas.

For example, if you had data in CSV format, similar to the example below, that data could be converted to table format.

Example CSV data

Data1,Data2,Data3
Example1,Example2,Example3
Example1,Example2,Example3

Example CSV table

As shown in the example above, each row is a new line, and each column is separated with a comma. Many online services, such as an online bank, allow users to export tabular data from the website to a CSV or TSV (tab-separated values) file. These files can be opened and viewed offline using a spreadsheet programs like Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel.

Why are CSV files used?

There are two primary reasons CSV files are used online.

1. CSV files are plain-text files, which makes them easy for a website developer to create.
2. Because CSV is plain-text, it can be imported into any spreadsheet program or database, regardless of what's being used.

Comma, Computer acronyms, Delimiter, Flat file, Separator, Spreadsheet terms, TSV