CSV is the lingua franca between Excel, SQL, Python, and BI tools—know encoding and delimiter pitfalls.
Import
Data → From Text/CSV — set delimiter, data types, locale for decimals.
Export
Save As → CSV UTF-8 (comma delimited) for international characters.
Pitfalls
- Dates reformatting on open
- Leading zeros stripped unless text column
- Commas inside fields need quoting
Important interview questions and answers
- Q: UTF-8 CSV?
A: Preserves non-ASCII names and addresses. - Q: Leading zero IDs?
A: Import as Text or pad with apostrophe trick.
Self-check
- Why UTF-8 on export?
- What happens to leading zeros if opened as numbers?
Tip: Prefer CSV UTF-8 when sharing internationally.
Interview prep
- UTF-8 CSV?
Safer for international characters.