What is the difference between CSV and ODS?

CSV is a plain-text table format: one row per line, fields separated by commas, usually with a header row. It is the most widely supported data format there is, readable by every spreadsheet, database and analytics tool. ODS is the OpenDocument spreadsheet format used natively by LibreOffice Calc. It is an ISO standard and a ZIP container of XML, carrying multiple sheets, formulas and formatting much as XLSX does.

Will I lose anything converting CSV to ODS?

No. Both formats represent the same data model, so the values and their structure come across intact. Excel reads ODS but its support for some formula functions differs, so complex workbooks can show errors after a round-trip.

What happens to formulas?

Formulas are carried across between workbook formats.

What if my workbook has multiple sheets?

All sheets are preserved — both formats are multi-sheet containers.

What should I know about starting from CSV?

CSV has no formal specification, only a convention (RFC 4180). Delimiters, quoting and line endings vary between producers. More broadly: CSV is the lowest common denominator of tabular data: one record per line, fields separated by commas, an optional header row. Every spreadsheet application, database and analytics tool reads it.

When is ODS the right choice?

ODS suits: open-source and public-sector workflows where ODF is mandated; avoiding a dependency on Microsoft formats. It is the wrong choice when sharing with people who only have Excel, where XLSX avoids any conversion step.

Is there a file size limit?

No hard limit — the constraint is your browser's memory. Files under 50MB convert in a few seconds. Larger files work but take longer, and a browser tab typically has 250-500MB to play with, so very large batches are better split into smaller groups.

Does this work on mobile?

Yes. The drop zone falls back to your phone's file picker, and the conversion runs on-device exactly as it does on desktop. Large files are slower on a phone because there is less CPU and memory available, but nothing about the workflow changes.

Convert CSV to ODS

Turn a CSV file into a proper ODS workbook you can format, sort and hand to a colleague. Free, in your browser, no upload.

Drop spreadsheet files to convert

XLSX, XLS, ODS, CSV

Files stay on your device. Open DevTools' Network tab to verify.

Overview

Why convert CSV to ODS

ODS is more compact and carries real type information, which CSV does not. Excel reads ODS but its support for some formula functions differs, so complex workbooks can show errors after a round-trip.

Comparison

CSV vs ODS: what actually differs

CSV compared with ODS across encoding, fidelity, file size and support.
Attribute	CSV	ODS
Full name	Comma-Separated Values	OpenDocument Spreadsheet
Encoding	Text — editor-readable	Binary
What it preserves	Flat only — no nesting, no types, no formatting	Full — multiple sheets, formulas, formatting
Typical size	Very compact for tabular data	Comparable to XLSX
Support	Universal. Every spreadsheet, database and BI tool imports it.	Native in LibreOffice and OpenOffice; read by Excel and Google Sheets.

How to

How to convert CSV to ODS

01
Drop your CSV file
Drag one or more CSV files onto the drop zone above, or click to browse. Files stay on your device — there is no upload step.
02
Convert to ODS
convert.now parses the CSV and writes it out as ODS in a Web Worker, so the page stays responsive even on large files. Nothing is sent anywhere.
03
Download the result
Download the ODS file, or a zip of all of them for a batch. Filenames are preserved, with the extension changed to .ods.

Why here

Why convert.now

Private
Files stay in your browser. No upload step. Nothing for anyone to see.
Fast
No queue, no upload wait. Conversion starts the moment you drop a file.
Free
No ads. No file-count limit. No sign-up wall. Just the converter.

FAQ

CSV to ODS: common questions

No. The CSV to ODS conversion runs entirely in your browser. Files never leave your device, and there is no server involved in the conversion at all. Open DevTools' Network tab and run a conversion if you want to confirm it — you will see the page and its code load, and no request carrying your file.

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Last updated 27 August 2026

Why convert CSV to ODS

CSV vs ODS: what actually differs

How to convert CSV to ODS

Drop your CSV file

Convert to ODS

Download the result

Why convert.now

CSV to ODS: common questions

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