CSV Format Guide

What is CSV?

CSV (Comma-Separated Values) is a simple file format used to store tabular data in plain text. Each line of the file represents a data record, and each record consists of one or more fields, separated by commas. CSV files are widely used for data exchange between different applications and systems, particularly for spreadsheet data and database exports.

When to use CSV?

CSV is ideal for:

  • Data Import/Export: Transferring data between different applications and systems

  • Spreadsheet Data: Working with tabular data in spreadsheet applications

  • Database Exports: Exporting data from databases for backup or analysis

  • Data Analysis: Processing and analyzing tabular data in various tools

Advantages

  • Simple: Easy to read and write, with minimal formatting

  • Universal: Supported by most applications and programming languages

  • Compact: Small file size compared to other formats

  • Human-Readable: Can be viewed and edited in any text editor

Limitations

  • No Schema: No built-in data type or structure validation

  • Limited Data Types: All data is stored as text

  • No Hierarchy: Cannot represent complex nested data structures