Open CSV files

  • Full name
    Comma Separated Value Format
  • Developer
    N/A
  • Popularity
Have you encountered a problem with a CSV file? Don’t you know which program opens a file with this extension? You will find all the information you need about working with a CSV file here. In the further part of this page we have added a list of programs that should open your CSV file. It is enough you choose a proper application for your operating system, download and install it.

What is CSV file?

CSV files contain data which are stored in the so-called Comma Seperated Values Format, ie comma separated values format. The CSV format is mainly used to exchange data between different databases or spreadsheets.

More info

Each line of a CSV file stands for a record, while the values for each field (database) or cell (spreadsheet) are separated by commas in this line. Cell titles (eg for Excel) can also be specified, but there may also be problems with the exchange.

Especially when importing a CSV file into an already existing database or table, the order of the values should be agreed, as otherwise the values may be written to the wrong cells or data fields.

CSV files can be opened and edited with any text editor. In addition, CSV files can be imported from Microsoft Excel, OpenOffice Calc and also many database programs such as Mysql or Oracle and also exported. For some programs you can also specify the delimiter when importing or exporting (eg semicolon, dot)

Programs which can open a CSV file

How to open file with CSV extension?

In order to open a file with CSV extension one of the following programs must be installed on user’s system. If a problem with opening CSV file occurred, it is highly possible that none of the listed programs is present on user’s system. Even if one or more said programs are installed, there may be issues related with given programs. In order to solve a problem with CSV files, follow the instructions below.
1
Install Microsoft Excel or other program from the list

Most often resolving problems with opening CSV files is very simple. Just install an appropriate program that supports such files. All of the listed programs support CSV files, but may vary in offered function and purpose. Some programs may be capable only of viewing contents of CSV files or offer file conversion options, but may not be capable of editing such files.

Set Microsoft Excel as the default program for opening CSV files

It is possible that although a compatible program has been installed on user’s system, it is not used by the system to open it. This may happen because no default application was associated with this type of files. To associate CSV files with given application, select "Open with" from drop-down menu (accessed by right-clicking on the file). Then select from the list the program or application you want to be used to open this type of file. If the Microsoft Excel applications is not on the list, select "Browse" option in order to manually locate the directory where Microsoft Excel has been installed.

2
3
Check the section that lists most common problems with CSV files

Sometimes problems with opening CSV files may not lie with the application itself, but can arise due to other causes, such as:

  • File data is corrupted
  • CSV files has been not been completely download from the internet (only a part of the data has been downloaded)
  • Currently used user account hasn’t been granted necessary privileges to open CSV files (should that be the case, please contact your system administrator or IT specialist)
  • CSV file was being copied from a corrupted storage device and is incomplete or data is corrupted. (Copying files from unknown or untrusted sources should be conducted with great care as such files may contain malicious software, which can damage your system)

Possible conversions of CSV file

Similar extensions