How do CSV and RTFcompare? Here's everything you need to know to choose the right format — and how to convert between them.
Comma-Separated Values
CSV is the simplest tabular data format — rows of values separated by commas. It's the universal exchange format for data between databases, spreadsheets, and programming languages.
Rich Text Format
RTF is a cross-platform document format that supports basic formatting like bold, italic, fonts, and colors. It's a universal middle ground between plain text and full document formats.
| Specification | CSV | RTF |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Comma-Separated Values | Rich Text Format |
| Extension | .csv | .rtf |
| MIME type | text/csv | application/rtf |
| Category | Document | Document |
| Developer | IBM (original concept) | Microsoft |
| Year introduced | 1972 | 1987 |
CSV and RTF serve different purposes. CSV is ideal for data import and export, while RTF excels at cross-platform document sharing.
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