CSV (comma separated values)

What are comma separated values (CSV)?

Comma separated values (CSV) is a specification of tabulated data, where the data is stored in a text based file and (historically) entries are separated with a comma. Currently also other separators are in use, such as the semi colon (';') and the tab ('\t').

CSV files are used to transfer data sets between infoirmation systems that do not use the same data format. For example, by using the CSV format, data from a data base in a propriarity format can be transferred to a spread sheet program with another propriarity format.

A CSV file can be read with a simple text editor and consists of line entries that correspond with the rows in a spreadsheet. Each line has the same number of entries, separated with a comma or other separator. Lines are sometimes ended with only line feed and no carriage return, which results in the text being displayed in an editor as one single line without separation per table row. Spreadsheets can ususally read these line feeds without problem, ordering the data in its proper rows again.

What kind of file it is How it is structured Why/where they are used How to create your own