How to save a CSV file on Mac without Excel

If you need to convert a Numbers spreadsheet file to CSV format from a Mac, you can do so quickly with the Numbers app. CSV stands for Comma Separated Values and is broadly used by many spreadsheet, database, and data storage uses, whereas Numbers is a spreadsheet app that is exclusive to the Mac and iOS platforms. Accordingly, there are many reasons why it may be necessary to convert a Numbers file to a CSV.

Table of Contents Show

How to Convert Numbers File to Excel File on Mac
Available text file formats
How do I open a CSV file on a Mac without Excel?
How do you save a CSV file on a Mac?
Can you create a CSV file without Excel?
How do I save a CSV file in Safari on Mac?

We’ll show you how to quickly convert a Numbers spreadsheet file into a CSV file for use where necessary.

This process requires the free Numbers app on the Mac. If you don’t have it on the Mac for whatever reason, you can download Numbers to the Mac from the Mac App Store from here.

How to Convert Numbers File to Excel File on Mac

Open the Numbers file that needs conversion to CSV format into the Numbers app/li>
Pull down the “File” menu and then select “Export To” and choose “CSV”

At the “Export Your Spreadsheet” screen, adjust any settings for the CSV file as needed including to CSV file encoding, then click on “Next”
Enter a name for the CSV file and choose a save location, then choose “Export” to complete the conversion from Numbers to CSV

The converted CSV file will be available right away at the destination you chose, whether that’s on the local hard drive, an external disk, to iCloud, or elsewhere. You can then modify or share the CSV file however necessary.

You can always re-open a CSV file into the Numbers app if necessary, and then save it again as a CSV.

Remember that CSV is a more basic raw file format usually used by spreadsheets or databases, and so if you want fancy charts and stylized graphs you would probably not want to use the CSV format and instead opt for something like the native Numbers file format or an Excel file format. The Numbers app also allows you to easily convert a Numbers spreadsheet to an Excel file if that’s necessary.

Do you know of another method to converting a Numbers file to a CSV file? Share with us in the comments below.

Print
Share on Tumblr
Pocket
Telegram
WhatsApp

Enjoy this tip? Subscribe to our newsletter!

Get more of our great Apple tips, tricks, and important news delivered to your inbox with the OSXDaily newsletter.

Sometimes, you might need to save a workbook in another file format, like a text (txt) or a comma-separated values format (csv). Just keep in mind that whenever you save a workbook in another file format, some of its formatting, data, and features might not be saved.

Caution: When you save a workbook in any of the text formats, all formatting will be removed.

Open the workbook you want to save.
Click File > Save As.
Pick the place where you want to save the workbook.
In the Save As dialog box, navigate to the location you want.
Click the arrow in the Save as type box and pick the type of text or CSV file format you want.
Note: The file formats you’ll see vary, depending on what type of sheet is active in your workbook (a worksheet, chart sheet, or other type of sheet).
In the File name box, accept the suggested name or type a new name for the workbook.

Available text file formats

Format

Extension

Description

Formatted Text (Space-delimited)

.prn

Lotus space-delimited format. Saves only the active sheet.

Text (Tab-delimited)

.txt

Saves a workbook as a tab-delimited text file for use on another Microsoft Windows operating system, and ensures that tab characters, line breaks, and other characters are interpreted correctly. Saves only the active sheet.

Text (Macintosh)

.txt

Saves a workbook as a tab-delimited text file for use on the Macintosh operating system, and ensures that tab characters, line breaks, and other characters are interpreted correctly. Saves only the active sheet.

Text (MS-DOS)

.txt

Saves a workbook as a tab-delimited text file for use on the MS-DOS operating system, and ensures that tab characters, line breaks, and other characters are interpreted correctly. Saves only the active sheet.

Unicode Text

.txt

Saves a workbook as Unicode text, a character encoding standard that was developed by the Unicode Consortium.

CSV (comma delimited)

.csv

Saves a workbook as a comma-delimited text file for use on the MS-DOS operating system, and ensures that tab characters, line breaks, and other characters are interpreted correctly. Saves only the active sheet.

How do I open a CSV file on a Mac without Excel?

Import csv into Apple Numbers.

Open the . csv file in a text editor like TextEdit on Mac..

Do a find&replace. Find "," and replace with ";" ..

Save the . csv file..

Drag-and-drop the file onto the Numbers app icon..

Apple Numbers displays the data in a new sheet..

How do you save a CSV file on a Mac?

You can save excel file into.CSV file by following below steps..

Open your excel file..

Click on "FILE" option..

Click on "Save As" Menu..

Save as window will be opened, there you need to select file format type as "CSV UTF - 8 (Comma delimited)"..

Click on "Save" button..

Can you create a CSV file without Excel?

Things You Should Know Using a spreadsheet application like Excel, Google Sheets, or OpenOffice Calc is the easiest way to make CSV files. If you can't use any of those programs, you can use a text editor like Notepad or TextEdit. In a spreadsheet program, go to File > Save As > File Type > CSV.

How do I save a CSV file in Safari on Mac?

Right-click on the page Safari has opened, and click Save Page As. Another prompt will show up, allowing you to choose the file name and where you wish to save the file.