A CSV file is plain text. An Excel file is a workbook. They can show the same table, so the choice only matters for what happens next: a person works with the data, or software imports it.
CSV vs Excel format at a glance
| CSV (.csv) | Excel (.xlsx) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Plain text | Workbook file |
| Sheets | One table | Several sheets |
| Formatting and formulas | Not stored | Stored |
| Numbers | Text until a program reads it | Stored as numbers |
| Row limit | None in the format | 1,048,576 rows per sheet |
| Opens in | Almost anything, also a text editor | Excel, Google Sheets, Numbers |
The row limit comes from Microsoft's Excel specifications. A statement will not get near it.
CSV has no strict standard
The closest thing to a definition is RFC 4180, and it is informational, not an Internet standard. It describes commas as separators, but many programs use other characters. That is why an import screen often asks you about the separator. Our CSV uses semicolons, so that amounts like 1,250.00 stay in one column.
What gets lost in a CSV
- Other sheets. When you save a workbook as CSV, Excel saves only the active sheet.
- Formatting. Colors, column widths and number formats are gone. Formulas are saved as their results.
- Leading zeros and long numbers. When Excel opens a CSV, it guesses types. A value like 00123 can become 123, and long reference numbers can change. Import the column as text if it matters.
Which one for a bank statement
| You want to | Use |
|---|---|
| Sort, filter and sum transactions | Excel |
| Send the list to a person | Excel |
| Import into accounting or budgeting software | CSV |
| Process the data with a script | CSV |
You do not have to choose in advance. The bank statement converter gives you both from one upload. For other PDFs, see PDF to CSV.
Upload a PDF and download its tables as Excel or CSV.
Convert a statementExtract tables from your Chrome toolbar
Click the extension icon, pick a PDF and get the tables without opening this site.
Questions and answers
What is the difference between CSV and Excel?+
A CSV file is plain text with values separated by a character such as a comma. An Excel file is a workbook that can hold several sheets, number formats and formulas.
Is CSV the same as Excel?+
No. Excel can open CSV files, which is why they look alike. But a CSV keeps only the values of one table, while an .xlsx file keeps the whole workbook.
Should I use CSV or Excel for a bank statement?+
Use Excel if a person will read or sum the transactions. Use CSV if the data goes into accounting or budgeting software that imports CSV.
Why does my CSV open in one column?+
The file uses a different separator than Excel expects. Our CSV uses semicolons. Open it through Data > From Text/CSV and pick Semicolon as the delimiter.