How to Open CSV Files
CSV files are plain text files, which means they can be opened by a wide variety of programs. Here are the most common ways to open and view CSV files.
Want to understand more about CSV files? Read our guide: What Is a CSV File?
5 Ways to Open CSV Files
1. Microsoft Excel (Recommended)
Excel is the most popular tool for viewing and editing CSV files.
Double-click the file, or open Excel and go to File > Open.
Requires Microsoft Office license.2. Google Sheets (Free & Online)
A great free alternative that runs in your browser.
Go to Google Sheets, create a new sheet, and select File > Import > Upload.
Requires Google account.3. Text Editor (Notepad/TextEdit)
View the raw data structure.
Right-click the file > Open with > Notepad (Windows) or TextEdit (Mac).
Hard to read large datasets.4. VS Code (For Developers)
Excellent for editing large CSV files with extensions.
Open the folder or file in VS Code. Use extensions like 'Rainbow CSV' for better readability.
More technical interface.5. Convert to CSV (Related Tools)
Need to create a CSV file instead? Use our free online converters.