Opening CSV files using spreadsheet software is a straightforward process. In Excel, click “File,” choose “Open,” and locate your CSV file. That’s all there is to it. Your data should be automatically split into the correct columns and presented cleanly. The path to opening a CSV file in Google Sheets, Apple Numbers, or LibreOffice Calc is virtually the same.
No matter the app you choose, the transition from a CSV to a proper spreadsheet is simple. The only difference is that not all options are free; if you don’t want to spend money, choose Google Sheets or LibreOffice Calc. Once you pick your program and import the CSV file, you can sort all the data, filter it, alphabetize it, and prettify it with colors, rows, and columns; you can also work in some formulas and macros. You’ll just be given the raw data as a starting point.
Opening the data in Notepad doesn’t give you the same kind of versatility as a spreadsheet program, but you can view it and read it in the typical CSV format with commas, as mentioned above. Any plain text editor works for this, including TextEdit on Mac. On another note, some password managers even let you transfer your data into CSV files, like LastPass.
