How to convert XLSX to CSV.
Learn about the XLSX file extension and how to convert a XLSX to CSV file.
Commonly used in business and personal projects, XLSX and CSV files are crucial for handling data in various contexts. While both are important for data storage and manipulation, you should know the key differences to help you understand when and why to use them or to convert between files. Read on to learn more about these files and how to convert XLSX to CSV.
What are XLSX and CSV files?
XLSX is a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet file that uses the file name extension .XLSX. These files are widely used for organizing and storing structured data, particularly when data needs to be presented or analyzed in an organized way. XLSX files support multiple sheets, rich formatting, formulas, charts, and more, making them ideal for tasks like budgeting, financial reporting, inventory management, and project tracking.
CSV, which stands for Comma Separated Values, is a plain text file that organizes data in a table format. Each piece of information is separated by commas, making it easy to transfer data between different applications like spreadsheets and databases. Essentially, it’s a simple way to store structured data in a format that most software programs can read.
CSV files integrate easily with popular tools like Microsoft Excel, but a CSV file is not the same as an Excel file. CSV files are plain text, while XLSX files are created in Microsoft Excel. Although spreadsheet file formats like XLSX offer features that may be well-suited for certain tasks or workflows, CSV files are widely used and popular for many reasons, from simplicity and support to data processing and sharing. However, you can also maintain formatting when sharing by converting XLSX to PDF.
How to convert a XLSX file to CSV?
Now that you know why you might want to convert these files, let’s look at how to convert .XLSX to .CSV. Follow these step-by-step instructions to automatically convert an XLSX file to a CSV file online for free with Microsoft Excel.
- Launch Microsoft Excel.
- Go to File > Open and select the XLSX file you want to convert.
- With the file open, go to File > Save As.
- Choose a location on your computer where you want to save the CSV file.
- In the Save As drop-down menu, select CSV (Comma delimited) (*.csv).
- Click Save.
- If your workbook contains multiple sheets, Excel will warn you that only the active sheet will be saved as a CSV. This is because CSV files can only represent one sheet of data at a time. If you’re okay with saving just the current sheet, click OK.
After saving, close the file. If you made changes, Excel will prompt you to save again, but it’s not necessary since you’ve already saved the CSV version.
If you want to keep both the XLSX and CSV versions, make sure you have saved the original XLSX file before closing.
Why would I want to convert an XLSX file to CSV?
You might need to convert an XLSX file to a CSV file for several reasons.
Compatibility with other software.
CSV files are supported by a wide range of applications and platforms, including databases, programming languages, and data processing tools. Many programs don’t support XLSX files natively, but they can handle CSV files. For instance, CSV files are often used for importing data into databases like MySQL or PostgreSQL because they represent data in a simple, flat format that databases can easily read.
File simplification.
CSV files only store data in a text-based format, meaning they strip out any formatting, formulas, or complex features like macros present in the XLSX file, so it’s easier to share raw data without risking errors. Additionally, since they lack images, formulas, or complex formatting, CSV files are usually much smaller than XLSX, making them easier to share, download, and store.
Data processing and analysis.
Many programming languages like Python and JavaScript have built-in libraries or tools optimized for reading and writing CSV files. Converting an XLSX file to CSV makes the data easier to manipulate in these environments. Data analysts and data scientists often prefer CSV files for processing because they are easier to parse and work with, especially in scripting environments or when importing into data analysis tools.
Easy sharing and collaboration.
If someone doesn’t have access to Microsoft Excel, a compatible version of Excel, or a program that supports XLSX files, CSV can be a simpler format to share. CSV files are universally supported, so people can open and view CSV files using a basic text editor or spreadsheet program. For example, while Google Sheets can open XLSX files, it often works more easily with CSV, particularly when importing or exporting data.
Interoperability between platforms.
CSV files are platform-independent and used for exchanging data between systems. Whether someone is using Windows, macOS, or even mobile devices, they can open and edit CSV files without needing specialized software. For example, exporting data from an online application into a CSV file makes it easy to transfer that data into another system, regardless of the technology used.
In short, converting an XLSX file to CSV helps ensure broader compatibility, reduces file size, simplifies data handling, and makes it easier to work with the data programmatically or in non-Excel environments.
Can I convert XLSX files to other formats?
You can convert XLSX files to a variety of other file formats depending on your needs. The Excel .XLSX file format is versatile and can be converted into many types of files, such as PDFs, CSVs, text files, and even more complex formats like XML or JSON. Be sure to read about the differences between XLS vs. XLSX files to better understand the difference
Digital tools like Adobe Acrobat enhance the usability of XLSX-related workflows. For example, the Excel to PDF converter allows you to convert Excel files to PDFs online, while the PDF to Excel converter lets you convert the other way, too.
Discover all that you can do with Acrobat today.
Keep exploring