To convert Excel to CSV, open the Excel to CSV converter, add your .xlsx, .xls or .ods file and download the result. Each sheet in the workbook becomes its own CSV file.
The conversion runs in your browser, so the spreadsheet is not uploaded.
On this page
Key takeaways
- XLSX, XLS and ODS files are accepted.
- Every sheet is converted, and a workbook with several sheets produces several CSV files named after the sheets.
- The output is comma separated and UTF-8 encoded.
- CSV holds values only: formulas, colors and formatting are not kept.
How to convert Excel to CSV in three steps
- 1
Add your spreadsheet. Open Excel to CSV and choose a file. One file is converted at a time.
- 2
Wait. Conversion takes a moment, even for thousands of rows.
- 3
Download. A workbook with one sheet gives one CSV named after the file. With several sheets you get a list of files named file_SheetName.csv, which you can download one by one.
The CSV format you get
| Aspect | Value |
|---|---|
| Separator | Comma |
| Encoding | UTF-8 |
| Quoting | Cells containing commas, quotes or line breaks are wrapped in quotes |
| Sheets | One CSV per sheet |
| File name | Workbook name, plus _SheetName when there are several sheets |
This is the format that databases, Google Sheets, scripts and import tools expect. For what is lost on the way, read what CSV keeps and drops.
Why convert Excel to CSV
- Importing data into a database, CRM or accounting tool.
- Feeding a script or analysis program.
- Sharing plain data that any program can read.
- Shrinking a workbook to its raw values.
Going the other way
To rebuild a spreadsheet from CSV, use CSV to Excel and read how to convert CSV to Excel. For JSON output, see Excel to JSON. If the CSV looks wrong when opened in Excel, see accents, zeros and dates after export.
Prepare the workbook first
- Keep one header row followed by data rows.
- Unmerge cells and remove blank spacer rows.
- Check that dates and numbers are consistent in each column.
- Delete sheets you do not need, or just skip their files when downloading.
Excel's own Save As CSV
Excel can export CSV too, but it saves only the active sheet and often uses the regional list separator, which is a semicolon in many countries. This tool exports every sheet with a comma separator and UTF-8 encoding, which is what most importers expect. It also works when Excel is not installed, for example on a Chromebook or phone.
Check the result
Open the CSV in a text editor to see the raw values, or import it into Google Sheets to check that the columns line up. If accents or dates look wrong in Excel, the cause is how Excel opens the file, explained in accents, zeros and dates after export.
Excel to CSV: FAQ
How do I convert Excel to CSV?
Add the spreadsheet to the Excel to CSV tool and download the CSV file.
Which file types are supported?
XLSX, XLS and ODS.
What happens to workbooks with many sheets?
Each sheet becomes its own CSV file.
Is my file uploaded?
No. The conversion runs in your browser.
What separator is used?
A comma.
What encoding does the CSV use?
UTF-8.
Are formulas kept?
No. The calculated values are written.
Can I convert several workbooks at once?
One workbook at a time.
Why does the button say Download All (Zip)?
For several sheets it downloads each CSV as a separate file.
Can I open the CSV in Excel again?
Yes, but use Data, From Text/CSV and choose UTF-8 to keep accents correct and to control how columns are read.
Does the tool convert hidden sheets?
It converts the sheets that the workbook lists. Check the list of files after conversion and download only what you need.
Plain data in one step
Add the workbook, download the CSV files and import them where you need them.
