How to Convert CSV to Excel using Python

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 132 views

Introduction

In today's digital age, data is the backbone of any organization. With the increasing amount of data being generated, it's essential to have a robust system in place to manage and analyze it. One of the most common data formats is CSV (Comma Separated Values), which is widely used for data exchange and storage. However, when it comes to working with Excel, CSV files can be a bit tricky to handle. This is where a CSV to Excel converter comes into play. In this article, we'll explore the concept of CSV to Excel conversion, its importance, and provide a step-by-step guide on how to do it using Python.

What is CSV to Excel Conversion?

CSV to Excel conversion is the process of converting a CSV file into an Excel file (.xlsx). This is a crucial step in data analysis, as it allows users to work with their data in a more intuitive and user-friendly format. CSV files are plain text files that contain data separated by commas, while Excel files are binary files that contain data in a structured format. The conversion process involves reading the CSV file, parsing the data, and then writing it to an Excel file.

Why is CSV to Excel Conversion Important?

CSV to Excel conversion is essential for several reasons:

Data Analysis: Excel is a powerful tool for data analysis, and converting CSV files to Excel files allows users to perform complex calculations, create charts, and visualize their data.
Data Sharing: CSV files are widely used for data exchange, but they can be difficult to share with others. Converting CSV files to Excel files makes it easier to share data with colleagues and stakeholders.
Data Visualization: Excel provides a range of visualization tools, including charts, graphs, and pivot tables. Converting CSV files to Excel files allows users to create interactive and dynamic visualizations of their data.

How to Convert CSV to Excel using Python

Python is a popular programming language that provides a range of libraries and tools for data analysis and manipulation. In this section, we'll provide a step-by-step guide on how to convert a CSV file to an Excel file using Python.

Step 1: Install the Required Libraries

To convert CSV files to Excel files, we'll need to install the pandas and openpyxl libraries. You can install these libraries using pip:

pip install pandas openpyxl

Step 2: Read the CSV File

We'll use the pandas library to read the CSV file. Here's an example code snippet:

import pandas as pd

# Read the CSV file
df = pd.read_csv('data.csv')

Step 3: Filter Columns

We'll filter the columns to only include the ones we're interested in. Here's an example code snippet:

# Filter columns
df = df[['column1', 'column2', 'column3']]

Step 4: Write to Excel

We'll use the openpyxl library to write the data to an Excel file. Here's an example code snippet:

# Write to Excel
df.to_excel('output.xlsx', index=False)

Step 5: Run the Code

Once you've written the code, you can run it using Python:

python csv_to_excel.py

This will convert the CSV file to an Excel file and save it to the output.xlsx file.

Example Use Case: Great Britain Data

Let's say we have a CSV file containing data about Great Britain, including population, GDP, and life expectancy. We want to convert this data to an Excel file and filter the columns to only include population and GDP.

Here's an example code snippet:

import pandas as pd

# Read the CSV file
df = pd.read_csv('gb_data.csv')

# Filter columns
df = df[['population', 'gdp']]

# Write to Excel
df.to_excel('gb_data.xlsx', index=False)

This will convert the CSV file to an Excel file and save it to the gb_data.xlsx file.

Conclusion

In this article, we've explored the concept of CSV to Excel conversion, its importance, and provided a step-by-step guide on how to do it using Python. We've also provided an example use case using data about Great Britain. By following these steps, you can easily convert CSV files to Excel files and work with your data in a more intuitive and user-friendly format.

CSV to Excel Converter Code

Here's the complete code snippet:

import pandas as pd
import openpyxl

# Read the CSV file
df = pd.read_csv('data.csv')

# Filter columns
df = df[['column1', 'column2', 'column3']]

# Write to Excel
df.to_excel('output.xlsx', index=False)

You can save this code to a file called csv_to_excel.py and run it using Python:

python csv_to_excel.py

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored the concept of CSV to Excel conversion, its importance, and provided a step-by-step guide on how to do it using Python. However, we know that you may still have some questions about the process. In this article, we'll address some of the most frequently asked questions about CSV to Excel conversion.

Q: What is the difference between CSV and Excel files?

A: CSV (Comma Separated Values) files are plain text files that contain data separated by commas. Excel files, on the other hand, are binary files that contain data in a structured format. CSV files are widely used for data exchange, while Excel files are used for data analysis and visualization.

Q: Why do I need to convert CSV files to Excel files?

A: CSV files can be difficult to work with, especially when it comes to data analysis and visualization. Excel files, on the other hand, provide a range of tools and features that make it easier to work with data. By converting CSV files to Excel files, you can perform complex calculations, create charts and graphs, and visualize your data in a more intuitive and user-friendly format.

Q: How do I convert a CSV file to an Excel file using Python?

A: To convert a CSV file to an Excel file using Python, you'll need to install the pandas and openpyxl libraries. You can install these libraries using pip:

pip install pandas openpyxl

Once you've installed the libraries, you can use the following code snippet to convert a CSV file to an Excel file:

import pandas as pd

# Read the CSV file
df = pd.read_csv('data.csv')

# Filter columns
df = df[['column1', 'column2', 'column3']]

# Write to Excel
df.to_excel('output.xlsx', index=False)

Q: Can I convert a CSV file to an Excel file without using Python?

A: Yes, you can convert a CSV file to an Excel file without using Python. You can use online tools and services, such as Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel Online, to convert CSV files to Excel files. You can also use desktop applications, such as LibreOffice or OpenOffice, to convert CSV files to Excel files.

Q: How do I filter columns in a CSV file?

A: To filter columns in a CSV file, you can use the pandas library to select the columns you're interested in. For example, if you have a CSV file with columns column1, column2, and column3, you can filter the columns to only include column1 and column2 using the following code snippet:

df = df[['column1', 'column2']]

Q: Can I convert a CSV file to an Excel file with multiple sheets?

A: Yes, you can convert a CSV file to an Excel file with multiple sheets. To do this, you'll need to use the openpyxl library to create multiple worksheets in the Excel file. Here's an example code snippet:

import pandas as pd
from openpyxl import Workbook

# Read the CSV file
df = pd.read_csv('data.csv')

# Create multiple worksheets
wb = Workbook()
ws1 = wb.active
ws2 = wb.create_sheet(title='Sheet2')

# Write to worksheets
df.to_excel(ws1, index=False)
df.to_excel(ws2, index=False)

# Save the workbook
wb.save('output.xlsx')

Q: Can I convert a CSV file to an Excel file with formulas?

A: Yes, you can convert a CSV file to an Excel file with formulas. To do this, you'll need to use the openpyxl library to create formulas in the Excel file. Here's an example code snippet:

import pandas as pd
from openpyxl import Workbook

# Read the CSV file
df = pd.read_csv('data.csv')

# Create a formula in the Excel file
wb = Workbook()
ws = wb.active
ws['A1'] = '=SUM(A:A)'

# Write to the Excel file
df.to_excel(ws, index=False)

# Save the workbook
wb.save('output.xlsx')

Conclusion

In this article, we've addressed some of the most frequently asked questions about CSV to Excel conversion. We've provided code snippets and examples to help you understand the process and how to use the pandas and openpyxl libraries to convert CSV files to Excel files. By following these examples, you can easily convert CSV files to Excel files and work with your data in a more intuitive and user-friendly format.