Question 1

What is a CSV file?

Accepted Answer

A CSV file is a plain text file used to store tabular data in rows and columns, with values separated by commas. CSV stands for Comma-Separated Values. It's one of the simplest and most widely supported data formats in the world.

Question 2

How do I open a CSV file?

Accepted Answer

You can open a CSV file using a CSV viewer like OpenCSV, a spreadsheet app such as Excel or Numbers, a database tool, or any plain text editor. OpenCSV opens CSV files instantly in your browser without installing anything.

Question 3

Why are CSV files important?

Accepted Answer

CSV files are universally compatible and used to import, export, and transfer structured data between systems. They power business operations, ecommerce, analytics, AI workflows, and almost every software integration that moves data between platforms.

Question 4

Can CSV files store formulas?

Accepted Answer

No. CSV files store raw text data only. They have no formulas, formatting, charts, or macros — they're just rows and columns of plain text. That simplicity is also their strength.

Question 5

What is the difference between CSV and Excel?

Accepted Answer

CSV files store plain text data only. Excel files (.xlsx) store formatting, formulas, multiple sheets, charts, and macros. CSV is portable and universal; Excel is feature-rich but proprietary. Use CSV for transferring data, Excel for calculations.

Question 6

Are CSV files lightweight?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Because CSV files are plain text, they're tiny compared to most spreadsheet formats — a 100,000-row CSV is often smaller than the equivalent .xlsx file by a factor of 10×. They open faster and email easily.

Question 7

Can I edit CSV files?

Accepted Answer

Yes. CSV files can be edited using any CSV editor, spreadsheet app, or text editor. OpenCSV lets you click any cell to edit it, add or remove rows and columns, search inside the file, and save changes — directly in your browser, on any device.

Question 8

Why use a lightweight CSV editor?

Accepted Answer

Lightweight CSV editors open faster, use less memory, and stay out of your way for quick edits. You don't need Excel's full formula engine to fix a few cells, deduplicate a list, or clean an export — a lightweight editor is purpose-built for that.

Question 9

Is OpenCSV private?

Accepted Answer

Yes. CSV files load and edit entirely in your browser by default — they never touch our servers unless you explicitly choose 'Save to cloud'. We don't run analytics tracking, ad networks, or behavioural pixels.

Question 10

Can I use OpenCSV on different devices?

Accepted Answer

Yes. OpenCSV is a web app that works on any modern browser — desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone. Native iOS and Android apps are coming soon. Your account works across all of them.

Question 11

How big a CSV file can OpenCSV open?

Accepted Answer

OpenCSV comfortably handles files with hundreds of thousands of rows in modern browsers. The exact limit depends on your device's memory, but most real-world CSV exports — customer lists, inventory, analytics — open in seconds.

Question 12

Is there a file size limit when saving to the cloud?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Each cloud-saved file is capped at 5 MB so the app stays fast on every device. There's no limit on opening, editing, or downloading files locally — only on cloud sync. Files over 5 MB can still be opened and edited in the browser, then downloaded directly to your device.

Question 13

Does OpenCSV support tab-separated (TSV) or pipe-delimited files?

Accepted Answer

OpenCSV auto-detects the most common delimiters when you open a file. The default is comma. We're adding explicit delimiter selection in a future Pro tier for tab, semicolon, and pipe.

Question 14

What does OpenCSV cost?

Accepted Answer

Viewing CSVs is free, forever — no signup required. To edit, save to the cloud, share with edit permissions, or use the Export presets, you'll need OpenCSV Pro at $9.99/month or $79/year. Every Pro plan starts with a 14-day free trial (no card required), and you can cancel anytime with a full refund inside the first 30 days.

Question 15

Why is OpenCSV a subscription?

Accepted Answer

Cloud storage, AI features, and ongoing development have real recurring costs. A subscription means we can keep the lights on, ship real improvements, and not vanish in 18 months. Your subscription pays for the infrastructure your account uses plus the next round of features. Cancel anytime, 30-day money-back.

Question 16

Can I share a CSV file as a read-only link?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Save any file to the cloud, click Share, and OpenCSV gives you a public read-only URL anyone can view (no signup required). You can revoke the link any time.

Question 17

How do I import a CSV into another tool?

Accepted Answer

Most platforms accept a standard CSV. From OpenCSV, click Download to save your edited file, then upload it to the destination tool's import feature — Excel, Google Sheets, Shopify, Mailchimp, Stripe, your CRM, etc.

FAQ

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