Format comparison
CSV vs RTF
How do CSV and RTFcompare? Here's everything you need to know to choose the right format — and how to convert between them.
.csv
Full guide →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.
.rtf
Full guide →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 advantages
- Universal data exchange format
- Human-readable plain text
- Tiny file sizes
- Supported by every data tool
CSV limitations
- No formatting or styling
- No data types — everything is text
- Encoding and delimiter issues common
- No support for multiple sheets or formulas
RTF advantages
- Cross-platform compatibility
- Basic formatting support
- No macros — safer than DOC/DOCX
- Human-readable markup
RTF limitations
- Limited advanced formatting
- Larger than plain text
- No modern features like tables or charts
- Inconsistent rendering across editors
Which should you use?
CSV and RTF serve different purposes. CSV is ideal for data import and export, while RTF excels at cross-platform document sharing.
Best uses for CSV
Data import and export
Database migrations
API data exchange
Data science and analysis pipelines
Best uses for RTF
Cross-platform document sharing
Simple formatted documents
Email-safe document attachments
Clipboard data exchange
Convert between CSV and RTF
Need to switch formats? Convert for free with SquishConvert.