How to Convert TSV to CSV
TSV and CSV are close cousins — both are plain-text tables — but they use different separators, and moving between them by hand is risky because a stray comma inside a value can silently shift every column. This converter does it safely. It parses your tab-separated data, then rewrites each row using your chosen delimiter, automatically wrapping any field that contains a comma, a quote or a line break in double quotes and escaping inner quotes the RFC-4180 way. Pick a comma for standard CSV or a semicolon for European spreadsheets, optionally quote every field, and trim stray spaces. Everything runs in your browser, so nothing is uploaded.
Paste your TSV
Paste tab-separated data or load the sample; it's parsed locally with nothing uploaded.
Choose the options
Pick the delimiter and toggle quote-all and trimming.
Copy or download
Grab the CSV with one tap or save it as a .csv file.
TSV vs CSV — What's the Difference?
TSV — tab-separated values
Columns are separated by tab characters. Because tabs rarely appear inside data, values can contain commas and spaces freely without quoting. It's what you get when you copy cells straight out of a spreadsheet, which makes it convenient for quick transfers.
CSV — comma-separated values
Columns are separated by commas, so any value that itself contains a comma must be wrapped in quotes. CSV is the most widely supported tabular format — nearly every spreadsheet, database and data tool can import it — which is why converting TSV to CSV is such a common step.
Common Use Cases
Universal imports
Turn tab data into CSV, the format almost every tool and database can ingest.
Spreadsheet paste
Copy cells from Excel or Sheets and produce a clean CSV file to share.
European locales
Use semicolon output for CSVs that open correctly in comma-decimal regions.
Data pipelines
Normalise tab-delimited exports into CSV for downstream processing.
Uploads & forms
Produce CSV for systems and importers that only accept comma-separated files.
Archiving
Store tabular data in the most portable, future-proof text format.
Cleaning messy data
Trim stray spaces and re-quote fields while switching delimiters.
Quick transforms
A fast, no-install way to reformat tabular data during everyday work.
Tips & Best Practices
Copy straight from a spreadsheet
Selecting cells and pasting gives perfect TSV, so you can convert without saving a file first.
Pick the right delimiter
Use commas for most tools; switch to semicolons if your spreadsheet uses a comma as the decimal separator.
Let quoting stay automatic
Leave quote-all off and the tool quotes only the fields that need it, keeping the CSV compact.
Trim to avoid hidden spaces
Trimming removes accidental spaces that can cause mismatches when the CSV is imported.
Check the delimiter matches the importer
If a target tool expects semicolons, generate semicolon output so columns line up on import.
Troubleshooting
Columns look merged
Your input probably isn't tab-delimited. Make sure columns are separated by real tabs — copying from a spreadsheet guarantees this.
Extra quotes everywhere
That's quote-all mode. Turn it off and only fields that truly need quoting will be wrapped.
Columns shift on import
A value likely contains your delimiter. The tool quotes such fields automatically; make sure your importer respects quoted CSV.
Wrong columns in Excel
Excel in some regions expects semicolons. Switch the delimiter to semicolon and re-import.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert TSV to CSV for free?
Paste your tab-separated data above and the CSV appears instantly. Copy it or download a .csv file — free, no signup.
What's the difference between TSV and CSV?
TSV separates columns with tab characters, CSV with commas. Converting means swapping the delimiter and quoting any value that contains the new delimiter.
Does it quote values that contain commas?
Yes. Any field containing the delimiter, a quote or a line break is wrapped in double quotes and inner quotes are escaped, following the CSV standard.
Can I use a semicolon instead of a comma?
Yes. Choose semicolon output for spreadsheets and locales that use a comma as the decimal separator.
What does quote-all do?
It wraps every field in quotes, which some strict importers require. Leave it off for compact CSV where only necessary fields are quoted.
Will the CSV open in Excel?
Yes. The output imports cleanly into Excel, Google Sheets, Numbers and any CSV-aware tool.
Does trimming change my data?
It only removes leading and trailing spaces around each value, which is usually what you want for clean data.
Does it handle values with tabs inside?
TSV uses tabs as the delimiter, so tabs mark column boundaries; the converter treats each tab as a new column.
Is the first row treated specially?
No. Every row, including a header, is converted the same way, so your header stays at the top.
Is my data sent to a server?
No. Everything happens inside your browser, so your data never leaves your device.
Can I download the result?
Yes. Save the output as a .csv file, or copy it straight to your clipboard.
How large a file can it handle?
It comfortably converts tables with many thousands of rows, all in your browser.
Does it preserve empty cells?
Yes. Empty fields stay empty in the CSV, keeping your columns aligned.
What line endings does it use?
Rows are separated by standard line breaks, which every CSV importer understands.
Does it work on phones?
Yes, in any modern browser on Windows, Mac, Android or iPhone with nothing to install.
Is this converter really free?
Completely free, forever — no account, no ads and no premium wall.
100% free · No signup · Processed in your browser · Data never sent
Last updated: August 2026 · FlipMyFormat TSV to CSV Converter
Written and maintained by the FlipMyFormat team · Runs entirely in your browser