CSV (.csv) Files vs. Excel (.xlsx) Files
So if csv files and excel files both open in the same program, what’s the difference in file types?
Excel Files
- ~1M rows and ~16K columns allowed per worksheet
- Multiple tabs aka “worksheets” allowed
- Formulas and functions can be saved into workbook
- Pivot tables, charts, and illustration elements can be saved into workbook
- Usually larger in size
- cannot be opened by text edit software (ie NotePad)
- VBA coding allowed
CSV Files
- ~1M rows and ~16K columns allowed per worksheet
- Can only have one tab or worksheet
- Ever create a workbook in Excel with 5,6, or 20 different tabs of data? Not allowed with CSVs
- If you try to save an excel file as a csv, but your file has more than one tab, you’ll be given a warning about the data you’ll lose.
- Smaller in size both due to only having one “tab” of data and extra information like formulas/charts is not included
- Formulas and functions can NOT be saved into workbook (would be stripped out if saved from .xslx to .csv)
- Pivot tables, charts, and illustration elements can NOT be saved into workbook (would be stripped out if saved from .xslx to .csv)
- Can be opened by text editor software (ie NotePad)
- VBA coding not possible
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