CSVFileView, developed by NirSoft, is a lightweight, standalone utility designed for viewing and converting CSV (Comma-Separated Values) and tab-delimited files. Whether created by NirSoft utilities or other software, CSVFileView displays file contents in a structured table format, making it easier to analyze data and customize output files. The tool is ideal for users seeking a quick, efficient way to manage CSV files without the need for complex software.
Key Features of CSVFileView:
CSVFileView offers a range of features that make it a go-to tool for handling CSV files:
- No Installation Required: One of the most attractive features of CSVFileView is its portability. The utility does not require an installation process or additional DLL files. Users can simply download and run the executable file (CSVFileView.exe) to get started. This makes it convenient to use on the go or from external storage devices.
- Intuitive Interface for Easy File Management:
The interface is designed for simplicity and functionality. Users can easily open CSV or tab-delimited files using the 'Open CSV/Tab-Delimited File' option or by dragging and dropping files into the main window. The program automatically detects and displays the contents in a table format.- Sorting: CSVFileView allows users to sort rows by any column. For numeric columns, it performs automatic numeric sorting, making data organization effortless.
- Column Management: The 'Choose Columns' option lets users remove unwanted columns or rearrange their order. This flexibility ensures that only relevant data is displayed and exported.
- File Export Options:
CSVFileView supports multiple file formats for exporting data:- CSV (Comma-Delimited)
- Tab-Delimited
- XML
- HTML report
- You can select specific rows or all rows and save the content in any of the above formats. It also supports copying data directly to the clipboard for easy pasting into programs like Excel.
- Unicode/Ascii Save Mode: CSVFileView offers the option to save files in either Unicode or Ascii format. By default, CSV files are saved as Ascii to ensure compatibility with Microsoft Excel, which may not open Unicode CSV files properly. This option can be adjusted in the settings based on the user’s preference.
- Quick Filter for Fast Data Access: As of version 2.30, CSVFileView includes a powerful Quick Filter feature. This function allows users to filter content by typing one or more keywords. The utility instantly displays only the rows containing the specified strings, which can be comma- or space-delimited for more targeted results. Users can choose to apply the filter to all columns or just the visible ones, significantly speeding up the search process.
- Customizable Headers and Sorting:
- Add Header Line to CSV/Tab-Delimited File: When enabled, this option ensures that the exported file includes a header line with the column names.
- First Line Contains Column Names: For files where the first line is used for data instead of headers, this option can be turned off. Conversely, enabling it allows CSVFileView to use the first row as column names, streamlining the viewing and sorting process.
- Automatic Numeric Sorting: For numeric columns, this feature can be turned on to ensure proper sorting of numerical data.
How to Use CSVFileView:
Getting started with CSVFileView is easy:
- Download and run the CSVFileView.exe.
- Open your CSV or tab-delimited file via 'Open CSV/Tab-Delimited File' (Ctrl+O) or by dragging and dropping the file into the window.
- If the first line of the file doesn’t contain column names, disable the 'First Line Contains Column Names' option under the 'Options' menu.
- You can sort columns, remove or rearrange them, and filter data using the built-in features.
- Export selected rows in CSV, tab-delimited, XML, or HTML format as needed.
CSVFileView is a straightforward yet powerful tool for anyone working with CSV or tab-delimited files. Its no-installation setup, robust sorting and filtering capabilities, and flexible export options make it an essential utility for users looking to quickly view and manipulate CSV data. Whether you need to reorganize data, filter specific rows, or convert file formats, CSVFileView simplifies the process without any unnecessary complexity.
- Fixed issue: When copying data to the clipboard or exporting to tab-delimited file, every line contained an empty field in the end of the line.