Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common questions about CSV to SQL Converter
Getting Started
What is CSV to SQL Converter?
CSV to SQL Converter is a free, browser-based tool that transforms CSV (Comma-Separated Values) files into SQL INSERT statements. It supports multiple database systems including MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, SQL Server, Oracle, and MongoDB. The tool runs entirely in your browser, ensuring your data remains private and secure.
How do I convert my first CSV file?
Converting your first CSV file is simple:
- Click the "Upload CSV" button or drag and drop your CSV file into the converter
- The tool will automatically detect column types and analyze your data
- Select your target database type (MySQL, PostgreSQL, etc.)
- Enter your desired table name
- Click "Generate SQL" to create INSERT statements
- Copy the SQL output or download it as a file
Do I need to install anything?
No installation required! CSV to SQL Converter is a web-based application that runs entirely in your browser. Simply visit the website and start converting. All processing happens locally on your device, so you don't need to worry about uploading sensitive data to external servers.
Is there a file size limit?
While there's no hard file size limit, performance depends on your browser and device capabilities. For optimal performance, we recommend files under 50MB. Larger files may take longer to process and could impact browser performance. For very large datasets, consider splitting them into smaller chunks.
Supported File Formats
What file formats are supported?
We support various delimiter-separated value formats:
- CSV (Comma-Separated) - Standard .csv files with comma delimiters
- TSV (Tab-Separated) - Files using tab characters as delimiters
- SSV (Semicolon-Separated) - Common in European locales
- PSV (Pipe-Separated) - Files using | as delimiters
- Custom Delimiters - Specify any single character as a delimiter
How do I handle files with different delimiters?
After uploading your file, use the delimiter selector in the converter interface. Choose from preset options (comma, semicolon, tab, pipe) or select "Custom" to enter your own delimiter character. The preview will update automatically to show how your data is being parsed.
Does it support Excel files (.xlsx)?
Currently, we only support text-based delimiter-separated files. However, you can easily convert Excel files to CSV format by opening them in Excel and using "Save As" → "CSV (Comma delimited)". Then upload the resulting CSV file to our converter.
What character encodings are supported?
The converter automatically handles UTF-8 encoded files, which is the most common encoding. If your file uses a different encoding, you may need to convert it to UTF-8 first using a text editor or encoding conversion tool.
Features
How does automatic data type detection work?
The converter analyzes each column in your CSV to determine the most appropriate SQL data type:
- INTEGER - Detects whole numbers without decimal points
- DECIMAL/FLOAT - Identifies numbers with decimal points
- BOOLEAN - Recognizes true/false, yes/no, 1/0 patterns
- DATE - Finds ISO date formats (YYYY-MM-DD)
- DATETIME - Detects timestamps with date and time
- VARCHAR - Default type for text and mixed content
What are index suggestions and how do I use them?
Index suggestions are automatically generated recommendations for database indexes based on your column data. The tool analyzes columns for patterns that indicate they might be frequently searched or used in WHERE clauses (like IDs, emails, dates). Suggestions are prioritized as High, Medium, or Low. Implementing these indexes can significantly improve query performance.
Can I transform column names?
Yes! The converter offers several naming convention transformations:
- snake_case - lowercase with underscores (first_name)
- camelCase - first word lowercase, rest capitalized (firstName)
- PascalCase - all words capitalized (FirstName)
- UPPER_CASE - uppercase with underscores (FIRST_NAME)
- lowercase - all lowercase, no changes
What keyboard shortcuts are available?
Speed up your workflow with these shortcuts:
- Ctrl+V - Paste CSV data
- Ctrl+C - Copy SQL output
- Ctrl+Enter - Generate SQL
- Ctrl+D - Download SQL file
- Escape - Clear all data
Troubleshooting
My CSV file isn't parsing correctly. What should I do?
Try these troubleshooting steps:
- Check that you've selected the correct delimiter (comma, semicolon, tab, pipe)
- Verify your CSV file has proper formatting with consistent column counts
- Look for special characters or line breaks within quoted fields
- Ensure your file is saved with UTF-8 encoding
- Try removing any blank rows at the beginning or end of the file
The data types detected are wrong. Can I change them?
The automatic type detection uses heuristics based on the data patterns in your CSV. While the types are not directly editable in the current version, you can manually edit the generated SQL to change data types. Look for the CREATE TABLE statement and modify the column definitions as needed.
The converter is slow with my large file. How can I improve performance?
For large files, try these optimization strategies:
- Close unnecessary browser tabs to free up memory
- Split your CSV into smaller chunks (e.g., 10,000 rows per file)
- Disable unnecessary features like statistics or index suggestions temporarily
- Use a modern browser like Chrome, Firefox, or Edge for better performance
- Ensure your device has sufficient RAM available
I'm getting SQL errors when importing. What's wrong?
Common SQL import issues and solutions:
- Reserved keywords - Wrap column/table names in backticks or quotes
- Special characters - Ensure proper escaping of quotes and backslashes
- Syntax differences - Verify you selected the correct database type
- Table already exists - Drop the existing table or use INSERT IGNORE
- Data type mismatches - Review and adjust column types as needed
Security & Privacy
Is my data secure?
Yes! All processing happens entirely in your browser. Your CSV files are never uploaded to our servers or transmitted over the internet. The data stays on your local device throughout the conversion process, ensuring complete privacy and security.
Do you store or log my data?
No, we don't store or log any of your CSV data or generated SQL. The only data stored locally in your browser is the download history (last 5 conversions) which is saved in localStorage for your convenience. You can clear this history at any time through your browser settings.
Can I use this tool with sensitive data?
Yes. Since all processing is done client-side in your browser, the tool is safe to use with sensitive data. However, always follow your organization's data handling policies and consider additional security measures like using the tool on a secure network and clearing browser history after use.
Still have questions?
Can't find the answer you're looking for? Contact our support team.