Excel vs CSV

Excel (XLSX) and CSV (Comma-Separated Values)are widely used formats for working with tabular data. While both can represent rows and columns, they differ significantly in structure, features, and compatibility.

Key Differences Between Excel and CSV

• File Format: Excel files (.xlsx) are binary or XML-based with support for multiple worksheets, while CSV files (.csv) are plain text with values separated by commas.
• Features: Excel supports formulas, charts, formatting, and macros. CSV is limited to raw data without styling or advanced features.
• File Size: CSV files are usually smaller since they store only raw text, while Excel files can be larger due to additional formatting and metadata.
• Compatibility: CSV files are universally readable in almost any text editor or programming language, while Excel requires dedicated software or libraries to parse.
• Data Exchange: CSV is preferred for quick import/export between systems and APIs, while Excel is better for data analysis and reporting.

Example of CSV Data

id,name,email
  1,Alice,alice@example.com
  2,Bob,bob@example.com

Example of Excel Data

Excel stores data in worksheets with additional features like cell colors, borders, and embedded formulas. For example, a cell can contain=SUM(A1:A10), which is not possible in CSV.

When to Use

• Use CSV when exchanging data between applications, APIs, or databases.
• Use Excel when data requires advanced formatting, charts, or formulas for analysis and reporting.

On FormatJSONOnline, you can easily convert JSON to Excel or convert JSON to CSV depending on your needs.