Windows
Compatible applications
Quick Facts
Basic information about this file format
Extension
.TSV
File Type
Tab-Separated Values
Category
Data
Best first step
Use compatible software
Quick Summary
A practical overview of the .tsv file format
A TSV (Tab-Separated Values) file is a simple text-based format for storing tabular data, such as spreadsheet or database information. Each line in the file represents a row in the table, and the values within each row are separated by tabs. Unlike CSV (Comma-Separated Values) files, TSV files use…
File extension
.TSV
File type
Tab-Separated Values
Category
Data
Recommended action
Open with a trusted compatible app
How to open a .tsv file
Start with a trusted app that supports this format
- Check the file extension carefully and confirm that the file name really ends with .tsv.
- Use software that supports this file type. If one app does not work, try another compatible program for the same platform.
- Update the application if the file was created by a newer version of the software.
- Scan files from unknown sources before opening them, especially documents, archives, scripts, installers, and executable files.
What is a .tsv file?
File extension details and usage information
A TSV (Tab-Separated Values) file is a simple text-based format for storing tabular data, such as spreadsheet or database information. Each line in the file represents a row in the table, and the values within each row are separated by tabs. Unlike CSV (Comma-Separated Values) files, TSV files use tabs as delimiters, which can be advantageous when the data itself contains commas. This makes TSV files less prone to parsing errors in such cases. TSV is a widely supported format, making it easy to exchange data between different applications and platforms. It's often used for importing and exporting data from spreadsheets, databases, and other data analysis tools. The simplicity of the format allows for easy manual editing and inspection using any text editor. TSV files are particularly useful when dealing with data that might contain commas or other characters that could be misinterpreted as delimiters in other formats. The lack of complex formatting options makes TSV a lightweight and efficient choice for storing and transferring tabular data.
Software Compatibility
Programs that may open or work with .tsv files
macOS
Compatible applications
Linux
Compatible applications
Mobile
Mobile applications
Can .tsv files be converted?
Options for saving or exporting this file to another format
In many cases, a .tsv file can be converted by opening it in compatible software and using an option such as Save As, Export, or Convert. The available output formats depend on the file type and the application used.
- Use the original software that created the file when possible.
- Check whether the application supports exporting to common formats.
- Be careful with online converters when working with private, business, or sensitive files.
- If conversion fails, the file may be corrupted, incomplete, encrypted, or not actually a .tsv file.
Why can't I open a .tsv file?
Common reasons this file type may not open correctly
Wrong software
The file may require a specific program that supports the .tsv format.
Incorrect extension
The file extension may have been renamed manually, even though the actual file format is different.
Corrupted file
The file may be incomplete, damaged during download, or transferred incorrectly.
Outdated app
Your software may need to be updated before it can open newer versions of this file format.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about .tsv files
To open a .tsv file, use software that supports this file format.
- Microsoft Excel
- LibreOffice Calc
- OpenOffice Calc
- Notepad++
- Sublime Text
Open the file in compatible software and look for options such as Save As, Export, or Convert. If no export option is available, the file may require a specialized converter or the original application that created it.
- Verify that the file extension is correct.
- Install or update compatible software.
- Try another application that supports this format.
- Check whether the file is corrupted, incomplete, or encrypted.
A file extension alone does not guarantee whether a file is safe or unsafe. Only open files from trusted sources, scan unknown files before opening them, and be especially careful with executable, script, archive, and document files.
File safety tips
Use caution with unknown files
Only open files from trusted sources. Before opening a .tsv file, scan it with antivirus software, verify that the file extension is expected, and avoid running unknown executable, installer, macro-enabled document, or script files.