Comma-Separated Values (CSV) is a plain text file format used to store tabular data, where each line represents a single record and fields within a record are separated by commas. The CSV format is widely supported by spreadsheet applications, databases, and programming languages, making it a common choice for data exchange. It does not require complex encoding, though it can include quoted fields to handle special characters such as commas within values. Variations exist in delimiter use, quoting rules, and line endings, but the core principle remains consistent across implementations. CSV files are generally smaller and simpler than formats like XLSX or JSON, which contributes to their portability and ease of parsing. However, they lack features such as data types, formulas, and formatting, which are available in richer formats. The CSV standard has no single governing body, but conventions are broadly recognized and implemented across many platforms and systems.

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