CSV to SQL and Markdown: Move Spreadsheet Data Without Retyping
You have a spreadsheet, and you need that data in a database or in a README file. Typing it again is slow and full of mistakes. A CSV converter does it in seconds.
Step one: save as CSV
In Excel or Google Sheets, choose Save as, then CSV. Make sure the first row has your column names, like name, email, city.
CSV to SQL
Paste the CSV into the Data Converter and press To SQL. You get an INSERT statement with all your rows:
INSERT INTO my_table (name, city) VALUES
('Asha', 'Pune'),
('Ravi', 'Delhi');
Change my_table to your real table name and run it in MySQL, MariaDB or similar tools.
Check these before you run it
- Column names must match your table.
- Dates should use the format your database expects.
- Test on a copy first, never on your live data.
- Very large files are better loaded with your database's own import tool.
CSV to Markdown
Press To Markdown and you get a table made with pipes and dashes. Paste it into GitHub, GitLab, a wiki or a notes app, and it shows as a neat table.
CSV to JSON
The same tool also makes a JSON array, with one object per row. That is useful for APIs and web apps.
Common problems
- Commas inside a value. The value must be wrapped in quotes, like "Smith, John". Most spreadsheets do this for you.
- Semicolons instead of commas. Some regions export that way. Replace them or check the settings.
- Strange characters. Save the file as UTF-8.
Is my data safe?
Yes. The conversion runs in your browser. Customer lists and private records stay on your computer. You can copy the result or download it as a file.
Frequently asked questions
Which databases accept the generated SQL?
The INSERT statements use standard SQL, which works in MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, SQLite and SQL Server for ordinary text and numbers. Create the table first with matching column names, then run the statements.
How do I insert thousands of rows quickly?
Wrap the statements in one transaction (BEGIN and COMMIT) so the database writes them together. For very large files, most databases also have a bulk import command, such as LOAD DATA in MySQL or COPY in PostgreSQL, which is faster than INSERT statements.
How are quotes in my data handled?
A single quote inside a value, such as O'Brien, must be doubled in SQL to O''Brien. Check that your output does this before running it, because an unescaped quote breaks the statement.
Where can I use a Markdown table?
Markdown tables work in GitHub and GitLab README files, many documentation sites, Notion, Obsidian, Discord and most developer forums. Paste the table as it is and it is shown as a neat grid.
Open the free Data Converter. It runs in your browser, so nothing is uploaded.