What is a TSV file?
TSV (Tab-Separated Values) is a plain-text table where cells are separated by tabs instead of commas. It was introduced in 1980 by Universal.
What TSV is good at
- Safe for data that contains commas
- Simple and readable
- Opens in spreadsheets and databases
Where TSV falls short
- No formatting, formulas or multiple sheets
- Tabs inside cells cause trouble
When to use TSV
- Text with many commas
- Bioinformatics and data science
- Copying data between tools
Where TSV files open
TSV files open in Excel, Google Sheets, databases, Python, R and text editors.
TSV compared with XLSX
TSV or XLSX? TSV is best for text with many commas. XLSX is best for budgets and financial models. Convert TSV to XLSX or convert XLSX to TSV.
Frequently asked questions
What is a TSV file?
TSV (Tab-Separated Values) is a plain-text table where cells are separated by tabs instead of commas. It was introduced in 1980 by Universal.
What are the advantages of TSV?
Safe for data that contains commas; simple and readable; opens in spreadsheets and databases.
What are the drawbacks of TSV?
No formatting, formulas or multiple sheets; tabs inside cells cause trouble.
What programs open TSV files?
TSV files open in Excel, Google Sheets, databases, Python, R and text editors.
How do I convert a TSV file?
Choose the TSV converter you need from the list on this page, drop in your file and press Convert. You get your new file in seconds, free and without sign-up.