CSV
4 synonyms for CSV, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A plain text file format for tables, in which each line is a row and the values in that row are separated by commas.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
comma-separated values
delimited file
flat file
data file
How to use CSV
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
export to CSV
import a CSV
CSV file
comma-delimited
upload the CSV
Everyday word in data, finance and administrative work. Written in capitals.
Etymology
An initialism of comma-separated values.
Full origin of CSV →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a CSV and an Excel file?
A CSV holds only the raw values in a single table, as plain text. An Excel file can hold multiple sheets plus formulas, formatting, charts and colours. Excel can open and save CSVs, but saving a workbook as CSV keeps only the values on one sheet and throws the rest away.
What happens if a value in a CSV contains a comma?
The value is normally wrapped in double quotation marks so the comma inside is not read as a separator. Files that skip this convention are a common source of columns shifting and rows breaking when the file is opened.
Why do CSVs sometimes use semicolons instead of commas?
In countries where the comma is the decimal separator, using it as a column separator would be ambiguous, so semicolons are used instead. The file is still commonly called a CSV, and most software lets you choose which character to treat as the separator when opening it.
