SPARKPOND / GUIDE
CSV Comma vs Semicolon: Which Delimiter Should You Use?
Both formats are valid delimited text; compatibility with the destination matters more than the extension.
Problem symptoms
- A correct file opens in one column.
- Decimal commas conflict with field commas.
Why it happens
- Spreadsheet locale controls the expected list separator.
- APIs commonly require comma-separated RFC-style output.
Example before and after
Before
price;country 12,50;FR
After
price,country "12,50",FR
Procedure
- Check the destination specification.
- Inspect quoting and decimal conventions.
- Choose a delimiter and preview serialization.
- Test a small exported file in the destination.
Common mistakes
- Changing decimal punctuation while changing delimiters.
- Failing to quote values that contain the new delimiter.
Other possible solutions
- Use TSV when human spreadsheet interchange is more important than CSV compatibility.
Important limitations
- No delimiter is universally correct for every consumer.
Related guides
Why a CSV Opens in One Column and How to Fix It
A CSV usually opens in one column because the file delimiter differs from the delimiter expected by the spreadsheet application.
How to Preserve Leading Zeros in CSV Files
Leading zeros disappear when identifiers are interpreted as numbers rather than text.