Key differences
- Use CSV to move data between systems, for imports and exports, and when any program must be able to read the file.
- Use XLSX when you need formatting, formulas, several sheets or charts.
- CSV does not store data types, so each program decides whether 00123 is text or a number. That is where leading zeros disappear.
- XLSX stores a type for each cell, but not every importer accepts it.
- CSV holds one table per file and only values. Formulas and formatting are lost.
Converting between them
To go from CSV to XLSX, load the file in CSVFix and click Download Excel. To go from Excel to CSV, copy the cells, paste them into CSVFix and download a clean CSV.
Questions
Can a CSV have several sheets?
No. A CSV contains one table per file.
Does a CSV keep formulas?
No. Only the values are saved.
Which one should I send to a colleague?
Send XLSX if they need formatting or formulas, and CSV if they will import it into another system.
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