Excel to CSV accuracy test
A free test workbook with the values converters most often get wrong, and the exact CSV output you should expect. Use it to check this converter, or any other.
- 20 tricky values
- Expected output for each
- Test any converter
- Nothing uploaded
CSV options
Your files are converted on your own device. Nothing is uploaded, stored or seen by us.
The test file
Download the test workbook
It has 20 tricky values on the first sheet, a second sheet with a merged cell, and a hidden third sheet. Convert it with any tool, open the CSV in a text editor (Notepad, TextEdit), and compare it with the table below. Every value in the right-hand column is what this converter actually produced with its default settings.
Results
What each value should look like
| Test | Excel shows | Common wrong result | xlsxtocsv.com output |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zip code typed as text | 02134 | 02134 | 02134 |
| Zip code with 00000 format | 02134 | 2134 | 02134 |
| Employee ID with 000000 format | 000042 | 42 | 000042 |
| Phone number format | (555) 123-4567 | 5551234567 | (555) 123-4567 |
| 16-digit ID stored as text | 4111111111111111 | 4111111111111111 | 4111111111111111 |
| Date, US style | 03/15/2024 | 45366 | 03/15/2024 |
| Date, day first | 15/03/2024 | 45366 | 15/03/2024 |
| Date and time | 2024-03-15 14:30 | 45366.6041666667 | 2024-03-15 14:30 |
| Time only | 2:30 PM | 0.604166666666667 | 2:30 PM |
| Currency | $1,250.00 | 1250 | $1,250.00 |
| Negative in brackets | (1,250.50) | -1250.5 | (1,250.50) |
| Euro | 99.90 € | 99.9 | 99.90 € |
| Percentage | 12.5% | 0.125 | 12.5% |
| Fraction | 3/4 | 0.75 | 3/4 |
| Large number | 1,234,567.89 | 1234567.891 | 1,234,567.89 |
| Accents and emoji | José Müller, Zoë, Søren, 東京, 😀 | garbled, e.g. José Müller | José Müller, Zoë, Søren, 東京, 😀 |
| Comma and quotes in a cell | Smith, "Jr." | may split into two columns | "Smith, ""Jr.""" |
| Line break in a cell | Line one / Line two | may break the row in two | kept in one quoted field |
| Formula result | $2,500.00 | 2500 or the formula text | $2,500.00 |
| TRUE/FALSE | TRUE | 1 or true | TRUE |
For numbers and dates, the wrong result is the raw value stored inside the .xlsx file, which is what a converter that ignores Excel's formats writes. The last rows show common text problems: the wrong encoding garbles accents, and missing quotes split cells that contain commas or line breaks. If you want raw values on purpose, for a database or code, choose Raw values and ISO dates in the options.
Privacy check
How to check that a converter doesn't upload your file
Turn off Wi-Fi after the page loads
Open the converter, then disconnect from the internet and convert the test file. A converter that uploads files will fail; this one keeps working, because the conversion happens on your computer.
Or watch the network
Press F12 in Chrome, Edge or Firefox, open the Network tab and convert a file. With this converter no request carries your file. With an upload site you will see the file being sent.
Read the privacy policy
Upload sites usually say how long they keep files, for example "deleted after 24 hours". A browser-only tool has nothing to delete. See our privacy policy.
Also check
Multiple sheets and hidden sheets
The test file has three sheets. Many converters only export the first one. Here, Download all sheets (.zip) gives a CSV per sheet, and hidden sheets are left out unless you tick Include hidden sheets. The merged cell on the second sheet stays in its first cell, or fills every cell it covers if you tick Fill merged cells.
More: fix CSV encoding and leading zeros · convert all sheets to CSV · XLSX vs CSV
FAQ
Questions
Why do my dates turn into numbers like 45366 when I convert Excel to CSV?
Excel stores dates as the number of days since 1900; 45366 is March 15, 2024. Excel shows it as a date because of the cell format. A converter that ignores formats writes the number. This converter applies the format, so you get the date as you see it.
Why do leading zeros disappear in CSV files?
Either the converter wrote the stored number instead of the formatted one, or the zeros were there but Excel dropped them when it reopened the CSV. Check the CSV in a text editor: if the zeros are there, the file is right, and you can keep them in Excel by importing the column as Text.
Is this test file safe to open?
Yes. It is a normal .xlsx file with values and one formula, no macros and no links.
Can I get raw values instead of formatted ones?
Yes. In the options, set Numbers to Raw values and Dates to ISO. That is the better choice when the CSV is going into a database or code.
How do I know my file is not uploaded?
Turn off your internet after the page loads and convert a file. It still works, because everything happens in your browser. You can also watch the Network tab in your browser's developer tools.