Format Atlas

Guides

Choosing a Spreadsheet Exchange Format

Use CSV to exchange values in a single table. Choose XLSX when the recipient needs formulas, formatting, or multiple worksheets.

Which format should you choose?

Choose by the role each file plays in your workflow.

  • Single table of values → CSV
  • Formulas and multiple sheets → XLSX
  • Opening CSV in Excel does not make it an Excel workbook

Decide whether values alone are enough

CSV is delimited plain text. XLSX can retain formulas, formatting, and multiple sheets. Select the format according to what the recipient must keep.

Formats to consider

CSV

Good for: Simple tabular data exchange

Less suitable for: Preserving formatting, formulas, or sheets

XLSX

Good for: An editable spreadsheet workbook

Less suitable for: Simple value-only system exchange

Before you export

  • For CSV, check encoding, delimiters, leading zeros, dates, and long numbers on import.
  • Before exporting CSV, select the correct sheet and identify information that will be lost.

Related comparisons

CSV vs XLSXCSV exchanges plain table values. XLSX is a spreadsheet file that can retain formulas, formatting, and multiple sheets.

Guides

Choosing a Data Exchange FormatStart with the receiving system's specification. Use JSON for structured API data, XML where an integration requires its schema, and CSV for a single table.Choose a document delivery formatFor document delivery, decide whether the recipient needs a fixed presentation or an editable source.CSV formula injection and safer exportsCSV quoting preserves field boundaries, but does not stop spreadsheet software from interpreting a cell as a formula. Choose an export strategy for the intended app and test it there.Checking values and formulas before spreadsheet handoffAgree on sheets and calculation results, then compare types, formulas and counts after export and reopening. This is a verification workflow, not format selection.

File format basics

Character encoding

References and specifications