Excel vs CSV: What Is the Difference and When to Convert
← Blog · Updated 8 October 2026
Excel and CSV both store tables, but they are very different.
Excel (.xlsx)
Stores values, formulas, formatting, colours, multiple sheets and charts. Best for working on data.
CSV
A plain text file with values separated by commas. It has no formulas, formatting or charts. Best for moving data between programs, importing into databases and uploading to systems that ask for CSV.
When to convert
- Excel to CSV when a system needs a plain data file.
- CSV to Excel when you want to sort, format and analyse the data.
- Excel to PDF for a simple table you can share.
Watch out
Check leading zeros in phone numbers and codes, and dates, after converting. Keep the original Excel file.
Questions
Do formulas survive in CSV?
No. CSV stores the displayed values, not the formulas.
Is my file uploaded?
No. It is processed in your browser.