How a comma-separated file is structured
Each line normally represents one record. Commas separate the fields in that record. The first line can contain field names, but a header is not required.
A comma-separated file stores text and values. It does not store spreadsheet formatting, formulas, images, or multiple worksheets.
Name,Email,Status
Ana,[email protected],Active
Lee,[email protected],InactiveSources:RFC 4180: Common Format and MIME Type for CSV FilesMicrosoft Support: Import or export text files
Is CSV always comma-delimited?
The common CSV format uses commas. In practice, applications can use different CSV dialects. A file can use a semicolon, tab, or another character as its delimiter.
Check the import settings when fields do not split correctly. Select the delimiter that the file actually uses instead of relying only on the file extension.
Sources:Python documentation: CSV file reading and writingMicrosoft Support: Import or export text files
Commas, quotation marks, and line breaks
A CSV field can contain a comma or a line break when the field is enclosed in double quotation marks. A double quotation mark inside a quoted field is written twice.
A comma counter reports every comma character, including commas inside quoted fields. It does not report the number of CSV fields or validate the file structure.