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Step-by-step guide

How does
Local CSV work?

A complete guide to opening a CSV online, checking its columns, cleaning data and exporting a new copy without sending the file to a server.

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A local CSV editor in your browser

Local CSV is a CSV reader, editor, cleaner and converter. Your browser reads the file from your device and performs changes in memory. The CSV content is not uploaded to local-csv.com.

What stays local

The file name, headers, cells, searches, edits and exported files stay on your device.

1. Open and read a CSV or TSV file

  1. Choose or drop your CSV or TSV file.
  2. Check the delimiter: comma, semicolon, tab or vertical bar.
  3. Check the encoding with UTF-8, Windows-1252 or ISO-8859-1.
  4. Confirm whether the first row contains column names.

The paginated table then lets you search for values, sort columns and inspect rows. Warnings identify inconsistent structures. Open a CSV.

2. Clean and edit the data

Edit a cell, rename a column, move or delete rows and columns. Three actions automate common corrections:

  • trim spaces at the beginning and end of cells
  • remove completely empty rows
  • remove exact duplicate rows

Important actions can be undone or redone. The original file is never changed: Local CSV always prepares a new copy. Clean.

3. Export in the right format

Download all rows, filtered rows only or your selection.

Available formats include CSV, TSV, XLSX, JSON, PDF, HTML, Markdown, XML, SQL and custom-delimited text. Choose CSV for another import, XLSX for a spreadsheet and JSON for an application.

4. When should you use Local CSV, Excel or Google Sheets?

Local CSV

Fast preview, cleaning, conversion and local privacy without installation.

A spreadsheet

Formulas, charts, advanced formatting, multiple sheets or ongoing collaboration.

The tools can complement one another: prepare a sensitive export with Local CSV, then open only the required copy in your spreadsheet. Local CSV vs Excel: which tool should you choose? · Local CSV vs Google Sheets: local or collaborative?.

Frequently asked questions

Is Local CSV free?

Yes. The main tool works without registration or a subscription.

Is my file sent over the Internet?

No. Its contents are read and transformed by the browser on your device.

Can I recover work after closing the tab?

No. The workspace disappears when the tab is closed or refreshed. Export your copy before leaving.