How to Convert Excel to CSV (and CSV to Excel) Free Online
Excel (.xlsx) and CSV are the two most common formats for working with tabular data, but they are not always interchangeable. Many applications — databases, email marketing platforms, analytics tools, and accounting software — require data in CSV format. Equally, a raw CSV file is often much easier to work with once it has been converted to a properly formatted Excel spreadsheet.
The Snifox File Converter lets you convert between Excel and CSV for free, directly in your browser, with no software to install and no account required.
Excel vs CSV: What Is the Difference?
The key rule: use Excel when you need to work with the data yourself (formatting, formulas, charts). Use CSV when you need to import the data into another system — a database, a CRM, a data pipeline, or a web application.
How to Convert Excel to CSV
- Go to fileconverter.snifox.com
- Select Excel → CSV from the conversion options.
- Click Choose File and select your .xlsx file. Maximum file size is 30 MB.
- Click Convert. The conversion takes a few seconds.
- Click Download to save the .csv file to your device.
The output CSV will contain the data from the first sheet of your Excel file. Column headers and all data values are preserved. Formulas are converted to their calculated values — the formula itself is not carried over.
How to Convert CSV to Excel
- Go to fileconverter.snifox.com
- Select CSV → Excel from the conversion options.
- Click Choose File and select your .csv file.
- Click Convert, then Download to get your .xlsx file.
The output Excel file will have your CSV data in the first sheet, with proper column widths adjusted to fit the content. You can then add formatting, formulas, or additional sheets as needed.
Convert your Excel or CSV file now — free, no sign-up, file deleted after download.
Convert a File →Tips for Best Results
Excel to CSV: only the first sheet is exported
If your Excel workbook has multiple sheets, only the first (leftmost) sheet is converted to CSV. Before converting, make sure the data you want is on the first sheet, or move it there temporarily.
Cells with commas in the value
CSV uses commas to separate columns. If a cell contains a comma — for example, an address like "123 Main Street, London" — the converter wraps the value in double quotes automatically. This is standard CSV behaviour and most applications handle it correctly.
Dates and numbers
Excel stores dates as serial numbers internally. When converting to CSV, dates are exported as formatted text (e.g. "27/05/2026"), which is usually what you want. If the receiving system needs a specific date format, you may need to reformat the date column in Excel before converting.
Large files
Files up to 30 MB are supported. Very large spreadsheets with tens of thousands of rows will convert successfully but may take a few extra seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my formulas be preserved when converting to CSV?
No. CSV is plain text and cannot store formulas. Each formula cell will be exported as its current calculated value. If you need the formulas, keep a copy of your original Excel file.
What encoding does the CSV use?
The output CSV is encoded in UTF-8, which supports all Latin characters, accented letters, and most international characters. If your data includes non-Latin script (Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, etc.), the values will be preserved correctly in UTF-8.
Can I convert a CSV with semicolons instead of commas?
Some European countries use semicolons as the CSV delimiter instead of commas. If your CSV uses semicolons, the converter will still process it — the output Excel file will have each row imported as a single column. To fix this, open the resulting Excel file and use Excel's "Text to Columns" feature to split on the semicolon delimiter.
Is my data kept private?
Yes. Your file is processed on a secure server and permanently deleted immediately after you download the result. It is never stored, shared, or used for any other purpose. See the Snifox Privacy Policy for full details.