Microsoft KB Archive/36482

Definition: CSV Clipboard Format PSS ID Number: Q36482 Article last modified on 12-19-1988 PSS database name: PSS

MS-DOS

CSV Clipboard Format

Acronym for Comma-Separated-Variable format, a format intended primarily for representing spreadsheet or database information.

In the CSV format, each cell (or field, for a database) is separated, or delimited, by a comma. Each row (or record, for a database) is delimited by a carriage-return code. When a given field contains embedded commas (i.e., a large number, or a full name in last-name-first order), enclose it within quote marks, e.g. “10,000,000” or “Polk, Helen”. Many computer languages, including Microsoft BASIC, create data files in the CSV format.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1988.