Add your CSV or TSV
Choose a file up to 10 MB or paste representative records. The tool compares commas, semicolons, tabs, pipes and colons.
THE SMALL TOOL FOR MESSY DATA
CSV delimiter detector
& converter.
Find the separator. Preview your columns. Convert your CSV.
Free, in your browser, with no file uploads.
✓ No file uploads✓ No account needed✓ Quoted fields handled
01 Your data
Just exploring?
File processing happens entirely in your browser.
02 A clearer picture
WAITING FOR DATAA little clarity starts here.
Add your CSV to find its delimiter,
see the columns, and check the structure.
DETECTED SEPARATOR
Consistent structure0records
0expected columns
0records to review
Parsed preview
First 12 recordsDetection details & record checks
Make it the format you need
Resolve the CSV syntax errors before exporting to avoid changing your data.
Output uses UTF-8 and CRLF line endings. Records include the header, if present. Spreadsheet apps may still reformat numbers; import identifier columns as text.
FROM MYSTERY FILE TO READY TO IMPORT
How to detect and change a CSV delimiter
Three steps, with a preview before you download.
Check the separator
Review the parsed columns and record warnings. If detection is uncertain, select the input separator yourself.
Convert and download
Choose your output separator and download a new copy. Quoted values and multiline fields stay together; your original file is unchanged.
THE ONE-COLUMN PROBLEM, EXPLAINEDSame data.
Same data.
Different separator.
A .csv extension doesn’t guarantee commas. Some spreadsheet exports use semicolons; other systems use tabs or pipes. Pick the wrong separator, and a whole record can land in one column.
This CSV separator checker compares how consistently each candidate divides your records. It respects quoted separators and multiline fields, then shows its working so you can confirm the result.
Check your file A SMALL EXAMPLE
name;city;note
Ada;London;"Hello; world"
Linus;Helsinki;ReadySEMICOLON DETECTED↓
| name | city | note |
|---|---|---|
| Ada | London | Hello; world |
| Linus | Helsinki | Ready |
The semicolon inside quotes stays in its field.
FIVE SEPARATORS. ONE TOOL.
Which separator is in your file?
A CSV separator checker looks at record structure, not just the file extension. Here is how the same two fields appear in each supported format.
| Separator | Example record | Export option |
|---|---|---|
| Comma | Ada,London | CSV |
| Semicolon | Ada;London | CSV |
| Tab | Ada ⇥ London | TSV |
| Pipe | Ada|London | CSV |
| Colon | Ada:London | CSV |
The ⇥ symbol represents a tab. A quoted separator, such as the comma in "London, UK", belongs to the field.
A FEW USEFUL ANSWERS
CSV delimiter FAQs
Practical answers before you import.
What is a CSV delimiter?
A delimiter is the character between fields in a text file. CSV usually means comma-separated values, but exports also use semicolons, tabs, pipes or colons. A TSV file uses tabs. The delimiter determines where each column starts and ends.
How do I detect which delimiter a CSV uses?
Add your file or paste its contents, then select Detect delimiter. The tool compares five separators using parsed records, ignoring separators inside quoted fields. Check the preview. If the result is uncertain, choose the input separator yourself.
How do I convert semicolon CSV or TSV to commas?
Add the file, confirm its separator, then choose Comma under “Convert separator to” and download. Fields containing commas, quotes or line breaks are quoted as needed. Choose Tab instead to export a TSV file.
Why does Excel open my CSV in one column?
Excel may expect a different separator from the one your file uses. Check the delimiter here, then select the same separator in Excel’s text/CSV import preview. Confirm the columns before loading. For identifiers such as 00123, set the import column type to Text. See Microsoft’s CSV import guidance.
Can automatic detection get it wrong?
Yes. Short samples, single-column data, mixed separators and inconsistent quotes can be ambiguous. Detection is a structural estimate. Review the candidate comparison and select a known input separator when necessary.
Does it handle quotes and multiline fields?
Yes. Separators inside quoted fields remain in the value. Doubled quotes become a literal quote, and line breaks inside quotes remain in the same record. Syntax errors are reported and must be resolved before export.
Does conversion fix inconsistent rows?
No. Conversion changes the separator; it does not invent missing cells, remove duplicates or repair the meaning of your data. Review flagged records and edit the source if necessary. Uneven records are preserved in the converted copy.
Are my files uploaded or stored?
No. File contents, filenames and pasted text are processed in your browser and are not sent to our server or analytics. Clear removes the working preview; downloaded copies remain on your device. Normal website requests still create server logs. Open Cookie settings below for the current analytics status.
What are the file and encoding limits?
The limit is 10 MB per file or pasted input. UTF-8 is the default; Windows-1252 and UTF-16 are also supported. Change File encoding to read an imported file again. Downloads use UTF-8. This tool reads text files, not XLSX workbooks.
Will Excel preserve leading zeros and formulas?
The converter preserves values such as 00123, but a spreadsheet may interpret them as numbers. Import identifier columns as text. Optional formula protection adds an apostrophe before formula-like values; enable it only when you want that change.
Is the CSV detector free?
Yes. No account, subscription or daily usage quota is required. The 10 MB limit keeps processing manageable on everyday devices.