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.CSV file extension

To open .CSV files on Windows, right-click the .CSV file and select 'Open with'.

.CSV files can be opened using spreadsheet applications like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets. To open a .CSV file, use a compatible app rather than renaming the file extension.

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Last updated: March 19, 2026 · Reviewed by Julian Stricker

What “reviewed” means on this page
  • Format fit: whether the “what is this file?” description plausibly matches common real-world use of the extension, including category, typical MIME types, and aliases.
  • Opening paths: whether Windows / macOS / Linux steps read plausibly for current OS dialogs and default apps. Not every step was tested on every OS version.
  • Security framing: whether risk notes match the extension class (for example executables vs plain data) and whether affiliate wording does not contradict the security section.
  • Sources and further reading: external links should point to vendors, standards bodies, or other primary references where possible; not every detail is individually sourced.
  • Limits: this is clarity and safety-messaging QA, not a guarantee that every statement is exhaustive or that every binary you download is harmless. Pages without “Reviewed by” have not been through this editorial pass yet.

Full methodology in the Imprint — The Imprint also states where AI is used and what that does—and does not—replace.

Open on your device

Choose your operating system for a dedicated step-by-step opening guide.

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How to open .CSV files

Use these platform-specific instructions to open .CSV files safely.

Windows

  1. Right-click the .CSV file and select 'Open with'.
  2. Choose Microsoft Excel or another spreadsheet application.

Recommended software: Microsoft Excel · LibreOffice Calc (free) · Notepad++ (free)

Full Windows guide

Mac

  1. Control-click the .CSV file and select 'Open With'.
  2. Choose Numbers or a compatible spreadsheet app.

Recommended software: Numbers (built in) · Microsoft Excel · LibreOffice Calc (free)

Full Mac guide

Linux

  1. Right-click the .CSV file and select 'Open With'.
  2. Choose LibreOffice Calc or another spreadsheet program.

Recommended software: LibreOffice Calc (free) · Text editor

Full Linux guide

iOS

  1. Open the .CSV file in the Files app and tap 'Share'.
  2. Select an app like Numbers to view the file.

Recommended software: Numbers (free) · Google Sheets

Full iOS guide

Android

  1. Open the .CSV file from the Files or Downloads app.
  2. Select a spreadsheet app like Google Sheets to open the file.

Recommended software: Google Sheets · Microsoft Excel

Full Android guide

Security notes

  • Open .CSV files only from trusted sources to avoid malicious data.
  • Be cautious of .CSV files that prompt for macros or scripts.
  • Regularly update your spreadsheet software to patch security vulnerabilities.

Can't open this file?

These are the most common causes and fixes when .CSV files fail to open.

Common reasons

  • File opens with incorrect formatting
  • Special characters not displaying correctly
  • Umlauts look like "ü" or "ö" when the CSV is opened in Excel
  • All CSV data ends up in one column

Fix steps

  1. Check the delimiter used in the .CSV file (commas, semicolons, etc.).
  2. Configure the application to use the correct delimiter when opening the file.

Recover a deleted or lost .CSV file

If the file was deleted by mistake or the drive was formatted, data recovery software may be able to get it back. Stop writing to that drive right away, because new data can overwrite what you want to recover.

MiniTool Power Data Recovery

Windows software that recovers deleted or lost files from PCs and external drives such as HDDs, SSDs, USB drives and memory cards, after deletion, formatting or a crash.

Wondershare Recoverit

Windows and Mac software that recovers deleted or lost files from computers and external drives such as HDDs, SSDs, USB drives and SD cards.

We may earn a commission when you use affiliate links. This supports our free file extension guides.

OS-specific troubleshooting

Convert .CSV to other formats

Use conversion tools to change .CSV files into formats your software supports.

What is a .CSV file?

.CSV stands for Comma-Separated Values, a format that stores data in a tabular form with each line representing a data record. It is widely used for data exchange due to its simplicity and compatibility with many applications.

Background

.CSV files have been around since the early days of computing and are a staple for data interchange between different systems. They are particularly popular in business and data analysis contexts because they can be easily imported into spreadsheets and databases. Each line in a .CSV file corresponds to a row in a table, and fields within each line are separated by commas, making it easy to parse and manipulate data. Despite their simplicity, .CSV files can sometimes cause issues with data interpretation, especially if the data contains commas or line breaks. To mitigate this, some variations of the format allow for quotation marks to encapsulate fields. Due to its plain text nature, .CSV files are lightweight and can be opened and edited with basic text editors, though they are most commonly used with spreadsheet software.

Common MIME types: text/csv

Further reading

Authoritative resources for more details on the .CSV format.

Common .CSV issues

File opens with incorrect formatting

The .CSV file may not display correctly if the delimiter used in the file does not match the expected delimiter in the application.

  1. Check the delimiter used in the .CSV file (commas, semicolons, etc.).
  2. Configure the application to use the correct delimiter when opening the file.

Special characters not displaying correctly

Non-standard characters may not render properly if the file's encoding is not supported by the application.

  1. Ensure the file is saved with UTF-8 encoding.
  2. Open the file in a text editor and re-save it with the correct encoding if necessary.

Umlauts look like "ü" or "ö" when the CSV is opened in Excel

The file is UTF-8, but Excel assumes a legacy encoding when the file has no byte order mark.

  1. In Excel use Data → From Text/CSV and choose "65001: Unicode (UTF-8)" as the file origin.
  2. Or save the file as "CSV UTF-8" in the program that created it.
  3. Open it in LibreOffice Calc, which asks for the character set when opening.

All CSV data ends up in one column

The file uses a different separator than your regional settings expect, for example a semicolon instead of a comma.

  1. In Excel use Data → From Text/CSV and pick the right delimiter.
  2. Or select the column and use Data → Text to Columns.
  3. In LibreOffice Calc the import dialog lets you choose comma, semicolon or tab.

FAQ

Can I convert a .CSV file to another format?

Yes, most spreadsheet applications allow you to save .CSV files in other formats like .XLSX or .ODS.

Why does my .CSV file show all data in one column?

This happens when the delimiter used in the file does not match the expected delimiter in the software. Adjust the delimiter settings in the application.

Similar file extensions

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