Truncate CSV Columns

Truncate CSV Columns helps you shorten values in each column to a specific length. Perfect for previews, exports, or limiting oversized text fields fast.

Paste your input above or import a file below.
No file chosen
Supported file types: .txt, .csv, .tsv, .log, .json, .xml, .md, .ini, .yaml, .yml, .html, .htm, .css
Total characters: 0
Options
Trim values
Quote output
Maximize output

How to Use:

  • Paste your CSV data into the Input CSV box or import a supported file with Choose File.
  • Enter the maximum number of characters allowed per value using the Max column length input.
  • Toggle Trim values to remove leading and trailing spaces from each cell before truncating.
  • Toggle Quote output if you want each cell wrapped in double quotes after truncation.
  • Toggle Maximize output to expand the output textarea for easier reading.
  • View the result live in the Truncated Output box it updates with every change.
  • Use Copy Output to copy the result or Export to File to save it as a CSV.
  • A Total characters counter appears below the output.
  • Click Clear All to reset everything input, toggles, counter, and file state.

What Truncate CSV Columns can do:

This tool gives you tight control over the length of your CSV column values. Whether you’re preparing data for previews, capping long notes or comments, or converting messy exports into something manageable, it’s a quick fix. It trims content per cell, wraps in quotes if needed, and instantly updates no scripts or Excel formulas required. With file import support, live character counts, and export-ready results, it’s great for cleaning up rows on the fly.

Example:

Input:

Name,Description
Alice,Loves to explore data science and machine learning
Bob,Enjoys hiking, photography, and coding

With max length set to 20 and quotes enabled:

"Name","Description"
"Alice","Loves to explore"
"Bob","Enjoys hiking, pho"

Common Use Cases:

It’s useful when preparing sample data, shortening verbose exports, or formatting text for systems with fixed field lengths. You might use it for email previews, product descriptions, CRM notes, or any scenario where extra-long values need taming. Just set your limit, toggle your rules, and you’re good to go.

Useful Tools & Suggestions:

If you’re cutting down length, Add Extra Spaces in CSV can help keep alignment clean for visual tools. And when you’re done trimming, run Analyze CSV to check if any important data got chopped off.