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Website explainer · 1:47

CSV Files Explained: Rows, Fields and a Reliable Import

What does a CSV file send to another system? CSV represents records and fields as text for exchanging tabular information.

Jersey Web video: Rows and fields. Ready to import.

1:47 · No narration: the video shows each step as text on screen, and every step is written out below, with buttons that jump the video to it.

Download the on-screen text track (VTT)

The six points in the video

This is a silent video. The headings, explanations and labels below reproduce the information on screen.

  1. Step 1: Start with the records

    Identify what one record represents in this transfer.

    On-screen labels: One record; Useful fields; Expected values.

  2. Step 2: Review the field names

    A header can identify the fields expected by the receiving system.

    On-screen labels: Optional header; Field names; Agreed order.

  3. Step 3: Agree the actual format

    Check the separator, quoting and text encoding expected by the importer.

    On-screen labels: Field separator; Quote handling; Text encoding.

  4. Step 4: Handle commas inside values

    Quoted fields can keep a comma within the value it belongs to.

    On-screen labels: Comma in a value; Quoted field; Correct boundary.

  5. Step 5: Check imported values

    Inspect dates, identifiers and text after a small trial import.

    On-screen labels: Sample records; Expected dates; Correct identifiers.

  6. Step 6: Reconcile the result

    Compare the received records with the intended transfer.

    On-screen labels: Record count; Accepted values; Import messages.

A practical check for your business

Agree the importer field names, separator, quoting and encoding before transferring records. Use a small representative sample and compare dates, identifiers and record counts after import.

Sources and further detail

See it in a diagram

Three stages show the source records, a CSV file using an agreed field format, and the receiving system with its imported values.
Records, text file and received values. Agree the fields, format and text encoding, then review a small import before transferring a large record set.
Read the diagram as text
  1. Records: The information to transfer
  2. CSV file: The agreed text format
  3. Receiver: The imported values

Review the result after import. Compare representative identifiers, dates and text with the intended records.

A file that opens successfully can still need a review of field mapping and received values.

Diagram by Jersey Web. Open full size · Source and further detail (opens in a new tab)

Common questions

What does a CSV file send to another system?

CSV represents records and fields as text for exchanging tabular information. Review a small import before changing a large set of records.

Go further

Guide Read the practical guide More context for planning and maintaining your business website. 5 min read → Jargon Buster CSV explained Read the related Jargon Buster explanation. Read the explanation →

Review a small import before changing a large set of records.

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