How to Use This Tab Separated Values Tool
- Paste your comma-separated data into the input area.
- The delimiter is automatically detected; override it in the options if needed.
- The output is tab-separated - each comma is replaced with a tab character.
- Copy the TSV or download it for import into spreadsheets or databases.
CSV to TSV Converter provides a fast way to switch between two of the most common spreadsheet data exchange formats. Tab-separated values (TSV) is the preferred format for many bioinformatics tools and database import utilities, as it avoids the quoting complexity that arises when data fields contain commas. This utility handles the transition seamlessly, correctly preserving RFC 4180 quoted fields in the process.
CSV vs TSV: Efficient Spreadsheet Data Exchange
While CSV uses a comma delimiter, TSV uses a tab character, making it the default excel paste format for many developers. This tab delimiter tool ensures that your data maintains its integrity, removing unnecessary quotes where fields are safe for the new format while keeping them where embedded newlines or tabs exist. Whether you are moving data between Excel, Google Sheets, or a PostgreSQL database, this tool makes the switch instant and error-free.
- Converts CSV to TSV with correct handling of quoted fields
- Removes unnecessary quoting in the output where fields are tab-safe
- Preserves embedded newlines within quoted fields
- Download as
.tsv for direct spreadsheet import
Frequently Asked Questions
Does copying from Excel produce CSV or TSV?
Copying cells from Excel and pasting into a text editor produces tab-separated values with no quoting. This is because tabs are safe delimiters for typical spreadsheet data. Saving as CSV from Excel produces comma-separated values with quoting.
What if my CSV fields contain tab characters?
Fields with embedded tabs must remain quoted in the TSV output. The converter detects this and preserves the quoting. However, if the target system cannot handle quoted TSV, you'll need to remove the embedded tabs from the data first.
Is TSV an official standard?
IANA registered the media type text/tab-separated-values in 1993 (RFC 4180 is for CSV). TSV has no formal detailed specification like RFC 4180 for CSV, but the convention is universally understood: tab delimiter, optional header row, newline-terminated rows.
Can spreadsheets open TSV files directly?
Yes. Excel, Google Sheets, and LibreOffice Calc all open .tsv or .txt files. Excel detects the tab delimiter automatically when the file extension is .tsv or when using File > Open > Text Import.
See also TSV to CSV, CSV to JSON, and the CSV Delimiter Changer to round out your data toolkit with this CSV to TSV Converter.
