in2csv

Convert an XLS file to CSV

$ in2csv [data.xls]

$ in2csv [data.dbf] > [data.csv]

$ in2csv --sheet=[sheet_name] [data.xlsx]

$ cat [data.json] | in2csv [[-f|--format]] json > [data.csv]

in2csv [OPTIONS] [FILE]

-h, --help
    Show help message and exit

-v, --version
    Show version information

-f SHEET, --sheet SHEET
    Excel sheet name or number (0-indexed)

-F, --formula
    Keep formulas as strings instead of values

--no-inference
    Disable type inference; output as all strings

--names-only
    Output only header row(s)

--date-format DATE_FORMAT
    Format for Excel dates (e.g., '%Y-%m-%d')

--datetime-format DATETIME_FORMAT
    Format for Excel datetimes

--sheet-regex
    Treat sheet specifier as regex

-n NAMECASE, --namecase NAMECASE
    Case for header names: lower, upper, preserve (default), or cap

-d DELIM, --delimiter DELIM
    CSV delimiter (default: ',')

-t, --tabs
    Use tabs as delimiter

-q QUOTECHAR, --quotechar QUOTECHAR
    CSV quote character (default: '"')

-u, --unicode
    Output UTF-8 CSV

-z, --zero
    Treat blank lines as empty rows

-e, --escapechar ESCAPECHAR
    CSV escape character

-b, --doublequote
    Use double-quote escaping

-p, --quoting QUOTING
    Quoting: all, minimal, none, nonnumeric (default: minimal)

-l LINES, --lineterminator LINES
    Line terminator for output

in2csv is a powerful command-line utility from the csvkit suite designed to convert Microsoft Excel files (.xls and .xlsx) into CSV format.

It intelligently handles spreadsheets by inferring data types, preserving formulas (optionally evaluating them), and supporting multiple sheets. Key features include sheet selection via index or name, disabling type inference for raw output, custom date/datetime formatting, and outputting only headers with --names-only.

Ideal for data pipelines, automation, and ETL processes, it reads from files or stdin, making it versatile for scripting. It uses xlrd for .xls and openpyxl for .xlsx, ensuring broad compatibility.

Unlike simple converters, in2csv maintains data fidelity, handles large files efficiently, and integrates seamlessly with other csvkit tools like csvlook and csvstat for inspection and analysis.

Requires Python dependencies like xlrd (.xls) and openpyxl (.xlsx); large files may consume significant memory.
Formulas in .xls may not evaluate identically due to engine differences.
Does not support password-protected files.

Reads from FILE or stdin if omitted. Multiple files not supported directly; use shell loops.

Automatically detects integers, floats, booleans, dates. Use --no-inference for verbatim strings.

Default: first sheet. Use -f for others; --names-only lists headers across sheets.

Developed by Christopher F. Miller as part of csvkit (first release ~2010). Now maintained under the csvkit organization on GitHub. Evolved with Python 3 support and enhanced Excel backends in versions 1.0+.

csvkit(1), csvlook(1), csvstat(1), csvcut(1), xlsx2csv(1)