TSV

Also known as tab-delimited, TSV (tab-separated values) is tabular data saved as plaintext data separated by tab characters.

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

Example TSV data

Data1	Data2	Data3
Example1	Example2	Example3
Example1	Example2	Example3

Example TSV table

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

Why are TSV files used?

There are two primary reasons TSV files are used online.

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

Computer acronyms, CSV, Delimiter, Flat file, Spreadsheet terms, Tab, Tab character