How Excel to CSV export works
This tool reads your Excel workbook and exports sheet data as CSV text. CSV is simple and widely supported, which makes it perfect for importing into other tools. Everything runs directly in your browser, nothing is uploaded or stored anywhere, making it a good option for private data.
When to use this tool
Excel is great for working visually, but many systems prefer CSV because it is lightweight and predictable. Exporting to CSV helps when you need compatibility, automation, or data import.
- Database import: export a sheet to CSV for bulk uploads.
- Apps and integrations: many tools accept CSV as a universal format.
- Automation: CSV is easy to version, diff, and process with scripts.
- Sharing raw data: send a clean dataset without Excel-specific features.
Need the “reverse” direction (CSV → Excel)? Try our CSV to Excel Converter. If you need a JSON format instead, use this JSON to Excel Converter.
Step-by-step: from Excel to CSV
Exporting your workbook takes just a few seconds:
- Add your Excel files. Drag and drop files into the box above, or click to choose from your device.
- Pick your export type. Use the selector to export the first sheet only, or export all sheets.
- Convert to CSV. Click Convert to CSV. The tool processes everything directly in your browser.
- Save your output. Save files one by one or use the “Save all” button once everything is ready.
Privacy, limits and how this tool treats your files
FileYoga is built around a simple rule: your files stay with you. Excel to CSV export runs locally in your browser, so your data is never uploaded to FileYoga servers.
Local-only export
Export runs locally in your browser on your device. Your workbook is not uploaded, and the CSV output is generated on your side.
No hidden copies
When you clear the list or close the tab, the tool stops using your files and does not save copies on a server.
No artificial limits
No paywalls or quotas. The only limits come from your device’s memory and your browser.
No account required
Use the exporter without signing up. Open the page, export your files, and leave when you are done.
If you are working with sensitive data (customer exports, internal reports, financial lists), this setup means you keep full control from start to finish.
Tips for best results
- CSV stores raw values. If you rely on colors, merged cells, charts, or images, keep the original Excel file too.
- If your workbook uses formulas, export will use the displayed values when available. If values are not calculated, open and save the file in Excel before exporting.
- If you need a specific decimal or date format, set it in Excel first, then export and verify in a text editor.
- For very large workbooks, export one file at a time to avoid browser memory pressure.
Troubleshooting
- The export is slow or the tab freezes: Large sheets can hit memory limits. Export one workbook at a time and close other heavy tabs.
- Dates look different than expected: CSV stores text and numbers only. Verify your date formatting and test in the tool that will import the CSV.
- Formulas exported as blanks or old values: If the workbook does not contain stored calculation results, export may not have values. Open the file in Excel, let it calculate, save, then export again.
- Columns look shifted: Merged cells or irregular layouts do not translate well to CSV. Flatten the layout, or copy values into a clean table before exporting.
- Special characters look wrong: The app importing your CSV may expect a different encoding. Try importing as UTF-8 if your target tool supports it.
Frequently asked questions
No. Export runs locally in your browser. Your workbook is never uploaded to FileYoga servers, and the CSV output is generated on your device.
.xlsx and .xls work best. Many .xlsm, .xlsb, and .ods files also export, but very large or complex workbooks may export more slowly.
It exports the first sheet in the workbook to a single CSV file. If you want a different sheet, move it to the first position in Excel (or copy that sheet into a new workbook) and export again.
All sheets exports one CSV per sheet. If your workbook has multiple sheets, FileYoga packages them into a single .zip so you can download everything neatly in one file.
Choose the delimiter your target app expects. Comma is most common, semicolon is common in some locales, tab can be useful for text-heavy data, and pipe is handy when your text contains many commas.
Usually, yes. CSV uses quoting rules: if a value contains the delimiter, quotes, or a line break, it is wrapped in quotes so it stays in one cell. If your importing tool is strict, make sure it supports quoted CSV fields.
CSV contains values only. If your workbook doesn’t have stored calculated results, formula cells may export as blank or old values. Open the file in Excel, let it calculate, save, then export again.
That’s almost always an encoding issue in the app importing the CSV. FileYoga exports as UTF-8 (with a BOM to help detection). When importing, choose UTF-8 in the destination tool’s import settings.
No. CSV can only store rows and columns of values. Formatting, charts, images, filters, and merged-cell layout can’t be represented in CSV.
There are no artificial limits. Very large workbooks can hit browser memory limits or slow your device. Export one workbook at a time and close other heavy tabs if you notice freezing.