CSV to TSV Converter
Some spreadsheets, databases and tools want commas between fields; others want tabs. This free CSV to TSV converter turns comma-separated data into tab-separated data and back again, handling quoted commas, escaped quotes and embedded newlines correctly. Convert, copy or download — privately in your browser.
What is a CSV to TSV converter?
A CSV to TSV converter changes the delimiter that separates the columns of a table. CSV (comma-separated values) is the most common format for importing and exporting spreadsheets, and it uses a comma between each field, one record per line. TSV (tab-separated values) does the same thing but uses a tab character instead, which is more robust when your data itself contains commas — think addresses, descriptions, or names written as "Last, First."
Moving between them is rarely as simple as finding and replacing. A genuine converter must parse the quoted fields that CSV uses to protect commas and quotes, understand line breaks that appear inside a single record, and then re-serialize the data with the new delimiter, quoting again only where it is needed. This converter does all of that in one step and in both directions.
Because the conversion runs entirely in your browser, nothing you paste is uploaded or stored.
How to use the CSV to TSV converter
- Paste your CSV or TSV into the input area.
- Choose the direction: CSV to TSV or TSV to CSV.
- Click Convert to run it.
- Copy the result, or click Download to save the file.
Example
CSV input:
name,title Alice,"Engineer, Senior" Bob,Designer
CSV → TSV output:
name title Alice Engineer, Senior Bob Designer
The quoted field keeps its embedded comma as one value, and the field containing a comma is safely quoted in the CSV.
Common use cases
- Converting a CSV export from Excel or Google Sheets into a tab-delimited file for a database import.
- Preparing TSV for tools that reject commas, such as some research and genomics pipelines.
- Switching a sticky-notes or reference-manager export between the two delimiters.
- Normalizing a messy dataset where some records were saved as CSV and others as TSV.
Pro tips
- Always use the Convert direction that matches your input — mixing them splits or merges fields.
- If a field contains a tab, newline or quote it will be quoted in the TSV output so it round-trips cleanly.
- Keep a header row: the converter preserves it, which keeps column meanings obvious after conversion.
- Check the status message; if it shows a parse note, review stray quotes or delimiters in your data.
FAQ
What is the difference between CSV and TSV?
CSV uses commas to separate fields and TSV uses tab characters. Both keep one record per line; they differ only in the delimiter.
How do I convert CSV to TSV?
Paste your CSV, choose CSV to TSV, and click Convert. Every comma between fields becomes a tab, and quoted fields are re-escaped correctly.
Does it handle quoted commas and newlines?
Yes. Fields wrapped in double quotes are parsed as a single value, so embedded commas, quotes and line breaks are preserved.
Can I download the converted file?
Yes. After converting, click Download to save the result as a .csv or .tsv file with the correct extension.
Does it upload my data anywhere?
No. The conversion runs entirely in your browser, so your data never leaves your device.
Why do some fields need quoting?
In CSV, a field containing a comma, quote or newline must be wrapped in double quotes, with internal quotes doubled, so the parser knows it is one value.
Can it convert TSV back to CSV?
Yes. Switch the direction to TSV to CSV, paste your tab-separated data, and it returns comma-separated output with fields quoted as needed.
Is it free to use?
Yes, free and unlimited with no signup required.
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