What is a CSV file?
A CSV file is a simple type of plain text file which uses a specific structure to arrange tabular data. The standard format of a CSV file is defined by rows and columns data where a newline terminates each row to begin the next row, and each column is separated by a comma within the row.
What is an Excel file?
Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet software included in the Microsoft office suite. It is widely used to create tables and grids of numbers and formulas that specify calculations, inventory tracking, accounting, and more.
Difference Between Excel vs CSV
Here is the main difference between CSV and Excel:
Similarities between CSV and Excel Files
CSV is the acronym for “comma separated values”. It is used to store tabular data where the column names and row values are separated using commas. The following image illustrates this
CSV file in Excel
Both can be opened in spreadsheet programs Both store data in tabular formats i.e. columns and rows Both can be manipulated using functions and features found in Excel.
The following screenshot shows a CSV file opened in Excel
CSV file in Excel
