CSV stands for Comma Separated Values. Files that contain the .csv file extension are comma delimited files that contain separated database fields. These database fields have been exported into a format that contains a single line for each database record.
In many cases CSV files can be written from Spreadsheet software.and can be read into other software. For a simple software application, the software might require e.g. Firstname is always in column 1, Surname is column 2, Phone is column 3. However, most software will require that when you create your Spreadsheet; you provide a label (field name) in the first row of the Spreadsheet and then the rows below contain the data with values in the corresponding cell to the value in the first row, This provides flexibility for adding extra or removing columns. For example.
| Firstname | Surname | Phone |
| John | Smith | 01234 56789 |
| Mary | O'Jones | 09876 54321 |
When you "Save As" csv format, the Spreadsheet will remove any formatting information and any formulae and create a text file similar to below.with a ',' between data values. If there are special characters in the data values, the data value will be enclosed in Quotes.
Firstname,Surname,Phone
John,Smith,01234 56789
Mary,"O'Jones",09876 54321
If there is a column header, columns can be ordered as you want, so below should be considered the same.
Surname,Firstname,Phone
Smith,John,01234 56789
"O'Jones",Mary,09876 54321
The most common requirement for a csv file is when importing a Membership database.
When you create a csv for Import into the Bridgewebs Membership database, you need a minimum of Firstname and Surname, all other fields are optional. Bridgewebs will update the database for just the fields (Columns) that are present using Firstname/Surname as the key..
To update just the BBO Username, if that is in the CLUB1 field, you just require e.g.
| Firstname | Surname | Club1 |
| John | Smith | smithy |
| Mary | O'Jones | maryoj |