Convert XLSX to CSV

Why export Excel to CSV

CSV is the universal import format. Databases, CRMs, email marketing tools, accounting software and scripts all read it, while many of them cannot open an Excel workbook. Exporting to CSV is usually the first step in moving spreadsheet data anywhere else.

This converter reads .xlsx files, older .xls files and OpenDocument .ods files with SheetJS, takes the first sheet and writes each row as a CSV line. Cells are exported as Excel displays them, so formulas contribute their results and formatted numbers keep their appearance.

XLSX vs CSV at a glance

How to convert XLSX to CSV

1. 1

   Step 1: Put the right sheet first

   Only the first sheet is exported, so move the sheet you need to the first tab if necessary.

2. 2

   Step 2: Drop the workbook

   Select the .xlsx, .xls or .ods file.

3. 3

   Step 3: Convert to CSV

   The first sheet is read and written as comma-separated values.

4. 4

   Step 4: Download the CSV

   Import it into your database, app or script.

Export details

Common reasons to export CSV

• Database imports. Load spreadsheet data into MySQL, PostgreSQL or SQLite.

• Marketing and CRM tools. Upload contact lists to email platforms.

• Data processing. Read the data with Python, R or command-line tools.

• Version control. Track changes to tabular data as plain text.

Only the first sheet is exported

CSV holds one table, so a multi-sheet workbook cannot fit in a single file. The converter exports the first sheet in tab order. To export another sheet, drag it to the first position in Excel or Google Sheets and save, or copy it into a new workbook.

Merged cells keep their value in the top-left cell of the merged area, and the other cells are empty, which is how CSV represents them.

Formatting, formulas and encoding

Formulas are not exported, only their results as stored in the file. If a workbook was never recalculated, for example one generated by a script, formula cells may be empty.

The CSV is saved as UTF-8 without a byte order mark, which suits databases and scripts. If Excel shows garbled accents when you reopen the CSV, use Data, From Text/CSV and choose UTF-8.

• Kept: values as displayed, text, formula results.
• Dropped: formulas, colors, fonts, comments, charts.
• Other sheets: move them first to export them.

Tips for Excel to CSV

• Remove title rows and notes above the header before converting.
• Set number formats in Excel first if you need a specific decimal or date style.
• Unmerge cells to avoid gaps in the exported table.
• Need JSON instead? Choose JSON as the target for an array of row objects.

XLSX to CSV questions