How to check and tidy a CSV file
- Paste your CSV or open a CSV file.
- Read the problems found, each with its line number.
- Choose the separator and quoting, then copy or download the tidy CSV.
Examples
A short row. In name,city,pin followed by Asha,Pune and Ravi,Delhi,110001, line 2 is reported because it has 2 cells while the header has 3. With Make every row the same width on, the tidy copy writes Asha,Pune, with an empty pin.
A quote that is never closed. In the line 1,"Rao, Asha,Pune the quote before Rao has no partner, so the rest of the file would be read as one cell. The tool points to line 2, column 2. Adding the missing quote after Asha fixes it.
A semicolon file. A file saved by a European copy of Excel, such as id;price and 1;12,50, is read with semicolons. Choose Comma for the tidy copy and you get 1,"12,50", with the price kept whole inside quotes.
Garbled letters. A cell reading Café Mocha is flagged as garbled. Tick Repair garbled letters and the tidy copy says Café Mocha.
About this tool
Paste a CSV or open the file to see what is wrong with it. Each line with too few or too many cells is listed by its line number, along with quotes that are never closed, stray quote marks, empty or repeated header names and letters garbled by the wrong encoding. The separator is found for you. You then get a tidy copy with one separator, consistent quoting and every row the same width. It all runs in your browser.
Common questions
What counts as a problem?
Rows with too few or too many cells and quotes that are never closed are errors. Stray quote marks, empty or repeated header names and garbled letters are flagged to check. Blank lines and spaces at the ends of cells are only noted, because they are usually harmless.
Why do letters look like é in my file?
The file was saved as UTF-8 and then opened as Windows-1252, so each accented letter became two odd characters. Tick Repair garbled letters to turn them back. Letters that already show as � can't be recovered, so open the original file instead.
Which separator should I use for Excel?
Excel uses your computer's list separator. That is a comma in India, the US and the UK, and a semicolon in countries where the decimal mark is a comma, as in much of Europe. If every row lands in one column, choose the other separator.
Does it change my data?
Only in the ways you choose. Trim removes spaces at the ends of cells, and Make every row the same width adds empty cells to short rows. Rows are never reordered, and quotes are added only where a cell needs them, unless you ask for quotes around every cell.
Is it free to use?
Yes. There's no sign-up, and you can use it as often as you like.
Is my text uploaded anywhere?
No. This tool runs inside your browser, so what you enter stays on your device.
Do I need to install anything?
No. It works in your browser on a computer or a phone.