Convert CSV data to tab-separated values
CSV and TSV are both plain-text ways to store rows and columns. CSV usually separates neighboring cells with commas; TSV separates them with a tab character. Converting CSV to TSV is useful when a spreadsheet, database import, or data tool expects tab-delimited input, or when you want to paste rows directly into a spreadsheet grid. This converter reads the CSV fields and writes the same rows with tabs between columns.
What changes in a CSV to TSV conversion?
The separator between fields changes from the one used in your source to a tab in the output. The row order and cell values stay in place. For example, two comma-separated columns become two tab-separated columns:
name city
Ada Lovelace LondonA comma inside a cell is just text in TSV, so it does not need to be escaped. Tabs are different: because a tab divides TSV columns, a tab inside a value must be kept within a quoted field.
Pick the source delimiter before converting
Not every file ending in .csv uses commas. Exports made for some spreadsheet locales use semicolons, and other systems may use a tab or pipe. Select the character that separates fields in your input. The tool then parses each record using that delimiter and always writes tabs between fields in the result.
Standard quoted CSV cells can include commas, semicolons, or line breaks without splitting into new columns or rows. A pair of quotation marks inside a quoted field represents one literal quotation mark. If a quote is unclosed or appears in an invalid place, the converter shows an error so you can fix the source instead of copying a malformed result.
How values are kept together in TSV
TSV has no single universal quoting standard across every application. This converter uses the familiar delimited-text convention: it wraps a cell in quotation marks when that value contains a tab, a quotation mark, or a line break, and doubles quotation marks inside the quoted value. Check that the system receiving your TSV supports quoted fields if your data contains those characters.
Convert a CSV file or paste data
- Drop a
.csvfile into the upload area, browse for it, or paste CSV text. - Choose the separator used between fields in the source.
- Select Convert to TSV and review the data table and tab-separated output.
- Copy the TSV to paste into another app, or download a
.tsvfile.
The preview shows every parsed row. Completely blank lines are ignored, and shorter rows are padded with empty cells to match the widest row. The converter keeps cell contents as text; it does not evaluate formulas or preserve spreadsheet colors, number formats, or other workbook styling. Files up to 50 MB are read locally in your browser and are not uploaded to RomitCSV.
Frequently asked questions
Can I paste TSV directly into Excel or Google Sheets?
Yes. Copy the output and paste it into a spreadsheet. Tab characters commonly split pasted values into separate columns, though paste behavior can vary by application.
My CSV uses semicolons instead of commas. Will it convert?
Yes. Choose semicolon as the input separator. The generated TSV will still use tabs between columns.
What happens if a cell itself contains a tab?
The cell is quoted in the TSV output so the tab can remain part of the value instead of acting as a column separator. The receiving application needs to support quoted TSV fields.
Will my formulas, dates, or number formats be preserved?
The converter processes the text in the CSV file. It does not calculate formulas or carry spreadsheet-specific formatting. Applications may interpret pasted text according to their own settings.
Why are blank lines missing from the output?
Completely empty CSV lines are skipped. Blank cells within a row are kept, and rows with fewer fields receive empty trailing cells to line up with the widest row.
Is my CSV file uploaded?
No. The page reads and converts it in your browser.
Related converters
Turn tab-separated text back into CSV with TSV to CSV, or convert rows to JSON and Markdown. Browse all CSV tools for more options.