CSV Vs Excel

CSV and Excel or .xls are two different file extensions containing data, where in CSV, the data is in the text format, separated by commas, while in Excel or .xls, information is in the tabular form with rows and columns. Moreover, the CSV file extension has no formatting in the data, but in Excel, we can format the data as per our requirements.

For example when we open a CSV file in Notepad, we get the data as shown below.

CSV File in Notepad -

• CSV and Excel are peculiar formats for storing data and are used by various persons with vast numbers.
• Both the CSV and Excel formats have their positive and negative points. But we can judiciously utilize both for data uploading, visualizations, data analysis, and manipulation.
• CSV and Excel are two formats developed to store the data in the database and help the business organizations to carry out their business for decision-making.
• The extension of the CSV and Excel formats are .csv and .xls/.xlsx, respectively.

CSV is a text file format where comma-separated values store the whole data accordingly. Therefore, CSV data can be easily opened in various text editors like Notepad, and can be analyzed for fetching and mining the needed details.

In the current era, we use Microsoft Excel or MS Excel for almost everything. Excel allows them to do the data storage, processing, analyzing, and exporting in the required manner. Moreover, it is a highly structured and organized file format, specifically developed for the tabular data and to correlate the details from the various independent tables.

Excel data in Microsoft Excel

The key differences are as follows: –

• The full form of CSV is a comma-separated value, and MS Excel is Microsoft Excel.
• The CSV file extension is “.CSV,” while the Excel file extension is “.xls or .xlsx.”
• A CSV file must save the data in plain text format; image-related (JPEG, PNG, JPG, etc.) data is impossible to keep. While Excel is a binary format, all the image-related data is easily saved in Excel format.
• CSV is a plain text file, but, Excel is highly organized in par with the present corporate world.
• CSV files can be opened in any text editor like Notepad and MS Excel, while We can open Excel only in MS Excel or google sheets.
• A CSV file is a plain text file that stores all the data using a comma separator between two data units. Hence, charts are not possible to keep in the CSV format. At the same time, Excel saves the data in binary form and can protect all the data related to graphs.
• CSV files cannot be directly linked with external sources. In contrast, we can easily link Excel files with external sources.
• Data analysis and manipulation can be done effectively and in a structured way in Excel, while it cannot do the same in the CSV format as the data in such format cannot be linked with any other data.
• It is very easy to store CSV files as their size will always be smaller, while Excel files with an extensive database are very tough to store and maintain, as there is a high chance of getting corrupted or crashing.
• CSV files are mostly used by professionals in data analysis or visualizations, while Excel is used by laypeople and professionals based on their requirements and work purposes.

This article has been a guide to CSV vs Excel. Here we discuss differences between Excel & CSV formats, comparison table, examples & downloadable excel template. You may also have a look at the following articles: -

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