CSV Delimiter Converter
Open a file that uses one separator and save it with another. Quoted values are respected, so a comma inside a name does not break the columns.
Drag a file here or choose one
Worked examples
Semicolons to commas
Name;Score Ann Lee;4,5
Name,Score Ann Lee,"4,5"
The decimal comma is in a value, so it is quoted. With the decimal option set to change 1,5 to 1.5 the value becomes 4.5 with no quotes.
Commas to tabs
a,b "x,y",z
a b x,y z
The comma inside the value no longer needs quotes with a tab separator.
About CSV Delimiter Converter
Different countries and programs expect different separators. A UK CSV uses commas, but in much of Europe the comma is the decimal mark, so files use semicolons. Database exports are often tab separated, and some systems use a pipe. Open a file with the wrong separator and everything lands in one column. This tool reads your file with the separator it finds, or the one you choose, and writes it with the separator you want.
Quoting is done properly. A value that contains the new separator, a quotation mark or a line break is wrapped in quotes and inner quotation marks are doubled, so nothing is split by mistake. You can also quote every value, or only text, choose two character line endings (CRLF), trim spaces, change decimal commas to points or the other way round, and add a marker that makes spreadsheet programs read accents and the pound sign correctly.
How to use CSV Delimiter Converter
- Paste your data or open a file. The separator it uses is found automatically, or you can choose it.
- Choose the separator to write with, or type your own single character.
- Choose the quoting, line endings and decimal marks you need.
- Download the converted file or copy it.
Common uses
- Making a European semicolon file readable in a UK spreadsheet
- Preparing a tab separated file for a database import
- Switching a pipe separated report to a CSV
- Changing 1,5 to 1.5 so numbers are read as numbers
Frequently asked questions
Why does my CSV open in one column?
The program expected a different separator. Convert the file to the separator your program uses, usually a comma in the UK and a semicolon in much of Europe.
What happens if a value contains the separator?
It is wrapped in quotes, so a name like Lee, Ann stays in one cell. Choose a different separator if you would rather avoid quotes.
What does the decimal mark option do?
It changes numbers that are plain decimals. 1,5 becomes 1.5, and 1.234,56 becomes 1234.56, or the other way round. Text containing commas is not touched.
Why add a marker for accents?
Some spreadsheet programs assume an older character set unless the file starts with a marker that says it is UTF-8. Without it, é and £ can appear as odd symbols. The marker is added only when the data has such characters.
Is the first row treated as a header?
It is treated like any other row and kept as it is. The tool changes the format, not the content.