Convert tab-separated values to CSV, CSV to TSV, or switch between any delimiter: tab, comma, semicolon, pipe or a custom character. Values containing commas, quotes or line breaks are quoted correctly, so the result opens cleanly in Excel, Google Sheets and databases.
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How to use the TSV to CSV Converter
Paste your data or open a file. Data copied from Excel or Google Sheets is tab-separated, so you can paste it directly.
Check the delimiters: From is usually detected automatically; choose the output delimiter under To. Use ⇄ to reverse the direction.
Adjust quoting and line endings if the target program needs a specific style.
Look at the preview table to confirm the columns line up.
Download or copy the converted file.
How quoting works in CSV and TSV
Value
CSV (comma, RFC 4180)
TSV (tab, quoted)
TSV (backslash escapes)
Desk lamp
Desk lamp
Desk lamp
Desk lamp
LED, warm white
"LED, warm white"
LED, warm white
LED, warm white
Ergonomic "mesh" back
"Ergonomic ""mesh"" back"
"Ergonomic ""mesh"" back"
Ergonomic "mesh" back
Two lines
"Two↵lines"
"Two↵lines"
Two\nlines
RFC 4180 is the common CSV standard: fields that contain the delimiter, a double quote or a line break are enclosed in double quotes, and a quote inside a field is written twice. The backslash style is what MySQL SELECT … INTO OUTFILE, PostgreSQL COPY text format and many Unix tools produce and expect.
Which delimiter should I use?
Comma: the default for CSV and the safest choice for most apps, APIs and imports.
Semicolon: used by Excel in countries where the comma is the decimal separator (most of Europe and South America).
Tab: great for data full of commas (addresses, descriptions) and for pasting into spreadsheets.
Pipe |: common in bank, EDI and legacy system exports because it almost never appears in text.
Need to inspect a big file first? Open it in the CSV Viewer. To produce a real spreadsheet, use CSV to Excel.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between TSV and CSV?
Both store a table as plain text, one row per line. CSV separates values with commas and wraps values that contain commas, quotes or line breaks in double quotes. TSV separates values with tab characters; because tabs rarely appear in data, TSV files often need no quoting at all.
How do I convert a TSV file to CSV?
Open the .tsv file or paste its contents, keep From set to Tab and To set to Comma. The CSV appears instantly on the right; click Download .csv to save it.
Will values that contain commas break the CSV?
No. With quoting set to Only when needed, any value containing a comma, double quote or line break is wrapped in double quotes and inner quotes are doubled, exactly as RFC 4180 specifies. Excel and Google Sheets read this correctly.
My TSV has stray double quotes and the columns are wrong. What do I do?
Some programs write TSV without any quoting, so a value that starts with a quote is meant literally. Tick Input quotes are plain text and every quote is treated as an ordinary character.
How do I change a semicolon CSV to a comma CSV?
Set From to Semicolon (or Auto-detect) and To to Comma. European versions of Excel save CSV with semicolons; this converts them for tools that expect commas, and the reverse works too.
Can I paste data straight from Excel or Google Sheets?
Yes. Copied cells arrive as tab-separated text, so pasting them here and converting with To set to Comma gives you a CSV file.
Is my data uploaded anywhere?
No. Parsing and conversion happen locally in your browser, and nothing is sent to a server.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.