Free online CSV to ODS converter

CSV exports from databases, accounting systems, devices, and web applications are often converted to ODS when the recipient needs an editable LibreOffice Calc workbook rather than a plain-text data table. The conversion also lets users apply formats, formulas, filters, and multiple worksheets after import.

What CSV files contain

CSV (Comma-Separated Values) is a plain-text format for tabular data. Each record normally occupies one line, and fields are separated by a delimiter, commonly a comma, semicolon, or tab. Databases, ERP and point-of-sale systems, reporting tools, spreadsheets, and web applications use CSV for data export and import.

Despite its name, a CSV file does not always use commas. The delimiter, character encoding, decimal convention, quotation rules, and date format depend on the exporting application and regional settings. Quoted fields can contain delimiters or line breaks.

CSV stores cell values only. It cannot retain formulas, column widths, fonts, colors, charts, comments, multiple sheets, data validation, or print settings.

What ODS files provide

ODS is the OpenDocument Spreadsheet format used primarily by LibreOffice Calc and Apache OpenOffice Calc. It is a compressed XML-based format that supports multiple worksheets, formulas, number formats, styles, filters, charts, validation rules, and page settings.

ODS can preserve the distinction between text, numbers, dates, percentages, and formulas after the data has been imported and configured. It is suitable for editable reports and for sharing workbooks with LibreOffice or OpenOffice users.

Convert a CSV file to ODS

To convert without installing software, upload the CSV file to 101convert.com, select ODS as the output format, run the conversion, and download the result. Open the ODS file afterward and check that fields were split into the intended columns.

LibreOffice Calc provides control over delimiter, encoding, and column types:

1. Open LibreOffice Calc and select File → Open.
2. Select the CSV file, such as inventory.csv.
3. In the Text Import dialog, choose the correct character set. UTF-8 is common for current exports, but use the encoding specified by the source system when accented or non-Latin characters display incorrectly.
4. Select the field separator used by the file: comma, semicolon, tab, or a custom character.
5. Set the text delimiter to a double quotation mark when the source encloses fields in quotes.
6. Use the preview to confirm the column split. Select identifier columns and set their column type to Text when they contain leading zeroes, long reference numbers, postal codes, or account identifiers.
7. Select File → Save As, choose ODF Spreadsheet (.ods), and save the workbook.

Import and compatibility checks

The conversion cannot recover formulas, formatting, charts, or additional worksheets that were not present in the CSV source. Those features must be added in the ODS workbook after import.

Check dates, decimals, and text identifiers before using the converted file. For example, 03/04/2026 can be interpreted as either 3 April or 4 March under different locale settings. A value such as 1,25 may be a decimal number or two comma-separated fields, depending on the chosen delimiter.

Do not import long identifiers as numbers. Spreadsheet applications reliably retain only about 15 significant digits in numeric cells, so tracking codes, card-like numbers, and long account references should be imported as text.

Microsoft Excel can open ODS files, but editing and resaving them in Excel can alter some ODS-specific formulas, formatting, macros, or layout settings. Use LibreOffice Calc when preserving ODS behavior is required.