TSV files are often preferred over CSV because they handle data containing commas without needing complex quoting. Our converter makes switching between these two formats effortless.
What is TSV?
TSV (Tab-Separated Values) is a data format where a tab character acts as the separator between columns. It is widely used for copy-pasting into Excel and in bioinformatics.
Why Use TSV?
- Easier to copy-paste directly into Excel or Sheets
- Less risk of breakage with data containing commas
- Native format for many data analysis pipelines
- Standard for command-line tools in Linux
- Simple to parse programmatically
- Lightweight plain text format
How to Convert CSV to TSV
Paste Content
Paste either CSV or TSV data.
Auto-Detection
The tool detects the input delimiter automatically.
Review Result
The output is generated instantly with the new delimiter.
Download
Export as .tsv or .csv file.
Key Features
Bidirectional
Toggle between Comma -> Tab and Tab -> Comma.
Quote Handling
Handles quoted fields properly during conversion.
Line Ending Support
Works with Windows (LF) and Unix (CRLF) endings.
Custom Separators
Specify semi-colon or pipe if needed.
Large File Support
Handle multi-megabyte files smoothly.
Best Practices
- Use TSV when your data contains addresses with commas
- Verify the encoding (UTF-8) for international characters
- Ensure every row has the same number of tabs
- Prefer TSV for large data processing on command line
- Use quotes for fields that contain tabs (rare)
Common Use Cases
Excel Migration
Quickly move data between text files and Excel through copy-paste.
Bioinformatics
Work with genomic data which is standardly stored in TSV.
CLI Tools
Prepare data for processing with awk, grep, or cut.
Database Import
Import data into databases that offer better TSV parsing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why use TSV instead of CSV?
TSV avoids issues when your cell data contains commas, which often breaks standard CSV files.
Can I use custom separators?
Yes, you can manually specify the delimiter in the settings.
Is it free?
Yes, like all our tools, it is completely free and browser-based.
Does it support UTF-8?
Yes, we fully support international characters.
Ready to Get Started?
100% browser-based. Your data never leaves your device.
Open CSV to TSV Converter