Data formats guide

A practical guide to CSV, JSON, YAML, Excel and TSV data formats — with tips on when to use each for development and analytics.

Data format comparison

Format	Type	Human-readable	Best use case
CSV	Tabular	✓	Spreadsheets, data exports, database imports
XLSX	Spreadsheet	–	Excel reports, financial data, complex tables
JSON	Hierarchical	✓	APIs, configuration files, web development
YAML	Hierarchical	✓	Config files, Kubernetes, Docker Compose, CI/CD
TSV	Tabular	✓	Database exports where data contains commas

When to use each format

CSV — the simplest format for tabular data. Use it to import/export between spreadsheets, databases, and analytics tools. Universally supported.

XLSX — ideal when you need formulas, multiple sheets, charts, or formatting for non-technical users.

JSON — the standard for APIs and web apps. Use it when your data is hierarchical and needs to be exchanged between systems programmatically.

YAML — JSON's more readable cousin. Standard for configuration files (Kubernetes, GitHub Actions, Docker Compose).

TSV — works like CSV but with tabs instead of commas. Use it when your data contains commas that would break standard CSV parsing.

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