Need to Split CSVs? Check Out These Free Tools!

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Hey everyone! Ever had a CSV file so big it choked your spreadsheet program? Yeah, we’ve all been there. Thankfully, there are some awesome free tools out there to help you wrangle those monster CSVs into submission. Let’s dive in and explore how to split them into manageable chunks.

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Online CSV Splitters: No Downloads Needed!¶

Sometimes you just need a quick and easy solution without downloading any software. These online tools are perfect for that:

Split CSV: Flexible and Free¶

Split CSV is a fantastic online tool with a generous free plan. You can split your CSV by file count, file size, or even line count. Plus, you get a handy preview before you commit to the split. In my tests, it effortlessly handled a CSV over 110 MB! Here’s how it works:

1. Upload: Drag and drop your CSV or import it from Google Drive.
2. Configure: Set the number of header rows and choose how you want to split the file (files, lines, or size).
3. Customize: Add or remove columns as needed.
4. Split: Enter your email and click “Split.” You’ll get a link to your split files in seconds!

TEXT File Splitter: Big File Friendly¶

TEXT File Splitter is another great online option, handling files up to 300MB in the free version. You can split by character or by line. Here’s the drill:

1. Upload: Click “Load File” and choose your CSV.
2. Set Output Files: Enter the desired number of output files.
3. Split: Click “Split!” and download the zip file containing your split CSVs.

Desktop CSV Splitters: Power and Control¶

For more control and when working with extremely large files offline, desktop tools are the way to go. Here are a few free options:

LargeFileSplitter: Speedy and Simple¶

LargeFileSplitter is a ridiculously fast and easy-to-use tool. It’s command-line based, but don’t let that scare you. It’s super simple:

1. Drag and Drop: Drag your CSV onto the interface.
2. Enter Parts: Type the desired number of output files and hit enter. Boom! Split files appear in the same folder as the original.

CSV Splitter (erdconcepts): Row-Based Splitting¶

This CSV Splitter from erdconcepts has a clean interface and lets you split by rows. You can specify the number of rows per file and even set the first row as a header. Here’s the lowdown:

1. Download and Run: Download the zip file, extract it, and run CSVSplitter.exe.
2. Set Paths: Choose the input and output file paths.
3. Configure: Enter the number of rows per file and any other options.
4. Execute: Click “Execute,” and your split files will be ready in the output folder.

CSV Splitter (sourceforge): Parts or Rows¶

This CSV Splitter (yes, another one with the same name!) offers the flexibility to split by parts (file size) or by rows. It’s handy, but can be a bit slower than the others:

1. Download and Run: Download the portable EXE.
2. Browse: Select your input CSV.
3. Choose Method: Select “split by rows” or “split by parts”.
4. Enter Value: Specify the number of rows or parts.
5. Convert: Click “Convert”. The split files will be saved in a new folder in the same location as the original.

Which CSV Splitter is Right for You?¶

• For quick, online splitting: Split CSV or TEXT File Splitter.
• For blazing fast splitting of massive files: LargeFileSplitter.
• For row-based splitting: Either of the desktop “CSV Splitter” tools.

So there you have it! Five fantastic free tools to conquer those oversized CSV files. No more crashing spreadsheets!

Now, we want to hear from you! Have you used any of these tools? Do you have a favorite CSV splitter that we didn’t mention? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! And be sure to check back for more helpful tips and tricks!