Text to CSV Converter — Free Online Tool

Convert any text or list to clean CSV for Excel or Google Sheets directly in your browser. No upload, no signup — your data stays 100% private.

Your data is processed locally in your browser and never sent to any server.

Conversion Settings

Your CSV preview will appear here

What is a CSV file?

CSV stands for Comma-Separated Values. It's a simple file format used to store tabular data, such as a spreadsheet or database. Each line in a CSV file represents a row of data, and each value within a row is separated by a comma (or other delimiter). CSV files are widely supported by spreadsheet applications like Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, and LibreOffice Calc, making them perfect for data exchange between different systems.

How to convert text to CSV online

Converting text or lists to CSV format is incredibly simple with our online tool. Here's how it works:

  1. Paste your text: Copy and paste your text data into the input box. This can be a simple list (one item per line), tab-separated values, or any delimited text.
  2. Choose your delimiter: Select how your input data is separated (tabs, spaces, commas, semicolons, or a custom character).
  3. Configure options: Set whether the first row contains headers and choose your CSV output format.
  4. Convert: Click the "Convert to CSV" button to instantly transform your text into proper CSV format.
  5. Download or copy: Download the CSV file or copy it to your clipboard to use in Excel, Google Sheets, or any other application.

The best part? All conversion happens directly in your browser. Your data never leaves your computer, ensuring complete privacy and security.

Common use cases for this text to CSV converter

Our online CSV generator is perfect for various scenarios:

  • Converting email lists: Transform plain text email lists into CSV format for import into email marketing tools.
  • Data migration: Convert data exported from one system into CSV format for import into another application or database.
  • Spreadsheet preparation: Quickly format data for Excel or Google Sheets when you receive it in plain text format.
  • Log file processing: Convert structured log files or tab-separated data into CSV for analysis.
  • Data cleaning: Use the trim spaces feature to clean up messy text data before importing into your database.
  • Developer tools: Convert API responses, configuration files, or test data into CSV format for easier manipulation.

Why use an online text to CSV converter?

While you could manually format your data or write a script, an online CSV converter offers several advantages: it's instant, requires no installation, works on any device, and handles edge cases like proper escaping of quotes and special characters. Our tool follows RFC 4180 standards, ensuring your CSV files are correctly formatted and compatible with all major spreadsheet applications.

Plus, with 100% browser-based processing, you don't need to worry about data privacy or upload limits. Whether you're processing 10 rows or 10,000 rows, your data stays on your device.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert a text list to CSV for Excel?

Simply paste your text list (one item per line) into the input box, select your delimiter (usually "Tab" or "Space" for lists), and click "Convert to CSV". Then download the file and open it in Excel.

Can I convert tab-separated text to CSV online?

Yes! Select "Tab" as your input delimiter, and our tool will parse your tab-separated data and convert it to proper CSV format with your chosen output delimiter.

Is my data safe when using this online CSV converter?

Absolutely! All conversion happens directly in your browser using JavaScript. Your data is never uploaded to any server or stored anywhere. It stays completely private on your device.

What if my data has commas in it?

Our CSV converter automatically handles special characters. If your data contains commas, quotes, or line breaks, they will be properly escaped according to CSV standards (wrapped in quotes and doubled quotes where needed).

Can I convert semicolon-separated values to CSV?

Yes! Select "Semicolon" as your input delimiter. You can also choose semicolon as your output delimiter if you need European-style CSV files (common in countries that use comma as decimal separator).

What does "First row is header" mean?

If checked, the tool treats the first line of your input as column headers. In the preview table, it will appear in a header row with a different style, and it helps organize your data more clearly.

How do I handle inconsistent column counts?

If your input has rows with different numbers of columns, our tool will automatically pad shorter rows with empty values and highlight the inconsistent rows in yellow in the preview table.

Can I use a custom delimiter?

Yes! Select "Custom" in the input delimiter options, and you can specify any single character as your delimiter (like pipe |, tilde ~, or any other character).