TSV Tab-to-Comma Converter

Convert tab-delimited records using CSV double-quote rules into comma CSV with LF record endings; unquoted multiline or arbitrary TSV escape conventions are outside this profile.

Description

Tab-delimited data can use the same double-quote escaping as CSV.

Tab-delimited data can use the same double-quote escaping as CSV. Conversion must parse cells before changing the delimiter.^[1]

Convert tab-delimited records using CSV double-quote rules into comma CSV with LF record endings; unquoted multiline or arbitrary TSV escape conventions are outside this profile.

When to use TSV Tab-to-Comma Converter

Use this for the following task: Convert tab-delimited records using CSV double-quote rules into comma CSV with LF record endings; unquoted multiline or arbitrary TSV escape conventions are outside this profile.

Prepare the CSV text, decoded cells or byte values requested below. Choose delimiter and header flags explicitly when those fields are present.

How to use TSV Tab-to-Comma Converter and understand its results

Prepare the CSV text, decoded cells or byte values requested below. Choose delimiter and header flags explicitly when those fields are present.
Enter csv using the field table, then run the tool.
Read csv. Interpret flags, units, ordering and placeholder values using the rules below.
Review any reported issue or failed check, correct the supplied values when appropriate, and verify the result in its intended context.

Input field	Meaning	Value type and bounds	Requirement
csv	Tab-delimited CSV text	string; maximum text length 100000	Required

Parse tabs as separators, respect doubled quotes and quoted line breaks, then encode decoded records with commas and LF record endings.^[2]

Parse delimiters only outside quoted fields and decode doubled quotes. A quoted line break stays inside its cell; malformed quoting is returned as an input error.

The shared writer doubles interior quotes and quotes cells when needed for delimiters or line breaks, including a single empty-field record. It normally emits LF record endings without a terminal newline; any tool-specific quote-all behavior is stated above.

output = comma writer(tab-delimiter parser(input))

This summarizes the declared operation. Units, indexing, inclusivity and exceptional cases are explained in the surrounding text.

Output field	Meaning	Value type
csv	CSV text	string

json

{
  "input": {
    "csv": "name\tnote\nAda\ta,b"
  },
  "output": {
    "csv": "name,note\nAda,\"a,b\""
  }
}

Limitations and assumptions

This profile excludes arbitrary TSV backslash escapes and unquoted multiline fields. Output has no terminal newline.

Where CSV is parsed, the shared parser accepts comma, semicolon or tab separators, doubled quotes and quoted line breaks, with CR/LF/CRLF record endings. Blank records remain records. CSV inputs are bounded to 100000 UTF-16 units and 10000 fields. Malformed requests produce input errors. A successfully evaluated request can still contain false flags, empty result lists or a result outside the supplied threshold; those outcomes have the meanings stated above.

Alternative or Complementary methods

Choose European Semicolon→Comma Delimiter Swap for this operation: Convert semicolon-delimited CSV with double-quote escaping into comma-delimited CSV, preserving decoded cell values and quoted embedded delimiters. For a complementary task, use Delimiter Sniffer (Comma/Semicolon/Tab) for this operation: Compare comma, semicolon, and tab dialects by the fraction of records having their modal field count; ties and one-column samples remain ambiguous.

Further background: Format and language reference: TSV Tab-to-Comma Converter.

References

Format and language reference: TSV Tab-to-Comma Converter — RFC Editor
TSV Tab-to-Comma Converter — tool.io

Similar or alternative tools

European Semicolon→Comma Delimiter Swap
Convert semicolon-delimited CSV with double-quote escaping into comma-delimited CSV, preserving decoded cell values and quoted embedded delimiters.
Delimiter Sniffer (Comma/Semicolon/Tab)
Compare comma, semicolon, and tab dialects by the fraction of records having their modal field count; ties and one-column samples remain ambiguous.