Free online CSV to EXCEL converter

A spreadsheet application may require an .xlsx workbook for formulas, charts, formatting, or Microsoft Excel compatibility. Converting a CSV preserves its tabular values while placing them in a workbook that can be edited, analyzed, and shared as a spreadsheet.

What the CSV format is

CSV (comma-separated values) is a plain-text format for tabular data. Each record usually occupies one line, and fields are separated by commas; files may instead use semicolons, tabs, or another delimiter. Fields containing delimiters, quotation marks, or line breaks are normally enclosed in double quotation marks.

Database exports, accounting systems, contact managers, laboratory instruments, scripts, and reporting applications commonly create CSV files. They can be opened by text editors, Microsoft Excel, LibreOffice Calc, Google Sheets, and programming languages.

CSV stores values and basic row-and-column structure only. It does not store formulas, cell formatting, multiple worksheets, charts, filters, comments, or Excel-specific data types.

What the EXCEL format is

Modern Excel workbooks normally use .xlsx, an XML-based Office Open XML package supported by Microsoft Excel, LibreOffice Calc, and other spreadsheet applications. The older .xls format is a legacy binary format with lower limits and less support for current Excel features.

An .xlsx workbook can contain formatted cells, formulas, tables, charts, data validation, filters, frozen panes, multiple worksheets, and workbook metadata. Use it when recipients need to edit or analyze the data in a spreadsheet or when the file must preserve workbook structure instead of remaining a portable text export.

How to convert the file

Using Microsoft Excel

1. Open Excel and select File → Open → Browse, then choose the CSV file.
2. If an import dialog appears, select the file's delimiter, character encoding or origin, and text qualifier. Use UTF-8 for files containing accented characters, non-Latin scripts, or symbols.
3. Set columns containing identifiers, postal codes, account numbers, or other values with leading zeros to Text. This prevents Excel from changing values such as 00123 into 123.
4. Check the preview and imported worksheet for misplaced columns, altered dates, missing characters, and unexpected number formats.
5. Select File → Save as, choose Excel Workbook (*.xlsx), enter a filename such as sales.xlsx, and select Save. Confirm the format change if Excel displays a warning.

Using LibreOffice Calc

1. Open the CSV in LibreOffice Calc.
2. In the import dialog, select the actual field separator, such as comma, semicolon, or tab, and choose the correct character encoding, usually UTF-8.
3. Review the preview and assign columns that must retain exact characters, leading zeros, or long numbers the Text type.
4. Select File → Save as, choose Excel 2007–365 (*.xlsx), and save the workbook.

Using 101convert.com

Without installed spreadsheet software, use the free converter on 101convert.com: upload the CSV, select Excel or .xlsx as the output, start the conversion, and download the resulting workbook. Do not upload confidential, personal, or regulated data unless the service's handling and retention terms satisfy your requirements.

Quality and compatibility limits

• Delimiter: A file with a .csv extension may use semicolons or tabs. An incorrect separator can place an entire record in one column, so verify the import preview.
• Encoding: A wrong encoding can corrupt accented or non-Latin characters. Select UTF-8 when that matches the source file.
• Dates and numbers: Spreadsheet software may reinterpret values such as 03-04, scientific notation, long numbers, or postal codes. Import sensitive columns as Text when exact characters matter.
• Missing workbook features: Conversion cannot restore formulas, formatting, worksheets, charts, or metadata that were not present in the CSV.
• Formula injection: Values beginning with =, +, -, or @ may be interpreted as formulas when the workbook opens. Inspect untrusted data and neutralize such values before sharing the converted file.
• Worksheet capacity: An .xlsx worksheet supports up to 1,048,576 rows and 16,384 columns. Larger datasets require a database, a data-processing tool, or division across worksheets and files.