How to convert tab delimited to CSV

Tab delimited and CSV (comma separated values) are both types of delimited text files. However they are different in that:

• a CSV file ‘escapes’ the delimiter character in values with quotes and ‘escapes’ quotes in values with additional quotes
• a tab delimited file doesn’t allow the tab character in values

So you can’t just find and replace tabs with commas. However you can easily convert tab delimited to CSV with Easy Data Transform:

• Install Easy Data Transform on your PC or Mac, if you haven’t done so already. It will only take a minute. There is a fully functional free trial and you don’t have to give us your email or sign up to anything.
• Start Easy Data Transform. Make sure the Auto Run button is pressed in.

• Drag the tab delimited file you wish to convert onto Easy Data Transform. A pink input item will be added.
• Ensuring the pink input item is selected, click the To File button in the Left pane (scroll to the bottom of the Left pane).

• A window will appear. Set the new file name and location. Select CSV file as the file type.

• A green output item is added and selected.

• The CSV file is created immediately, no need to ‘run’ anything.
• You can change the CSV file Encoding, Delimiter etc in the Right pane.

If you have a large number of files to convert you can do it using the batch processing feature.

As well as changing file format, Easy Data Transform also allows you to combine 67 transforms (such as join, filter and dedupe) to quickly and easily create complex data transformations.