CSV File

What are CSV files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a CSV file or are you simply curious about its contents? We're here to explain the properties of these files and provide you with software that can open or handle your CSV files.

What is a CSV file?

CSV files have multiple uses, and Comma Separated Values is one of them. Read more about the other uses further down the page.

Comma Separated Values File

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 uses a single line for each database record. A comma separates the values of each record field.

CSV files are commonly used to transfer data from one database or spreadsheet format to another. This allows individuals who do not run the same database applications to share data.

How to open CSV files

We have identified five CSV openers that are compatible with this specific type of CSV file.

Programs that open Comma Separated Values files

Last updated: September 19, 2026

All known file formats using extension .CSV

While Comma Separated Values File is a popular type of CSV-file, we know of 3 different uses of the .CSV file extension. Different software may use files with the same extension for different types of data.

Degenerate Geometry CSV

Degenerate Geometry CSV files store simplified geometric models produced by the OpenVSP tool's DegenGeom ("Degenerate Geometry") export. These files reduce a full 3D geometry into several lower-fidelity forms - surface, plate, stick, point - while preserving important metadata. They are used when only specific aspects of the geometry matter, such as aerodynamic surfaces for flow analysis, structural stick frames, or point masses for dynamics and mass/inertia computations.

OpenVSP creates these files when a user requests a DegenGeom export (often via the Analysis → DegenGeom menu), choosing CSV format. The export writes out multiple comma-separated tables in one file: one for each component of the geometry and for each level of degeneration. Software libraries (like VSPGeom.jl) read these CSV files by interpreting the tables as data frames or components. For instance in VSPGeom.jl a function called readDegenGeom produces VSPComponent objects whose fields include plate.x, plate.y, plate.z, etc.

Technically the file begins with a signature line: the ASCII text "#DEGENERATEGEOMETRYCSVFILE" at offset 0. It includes fields and keywords such as NUMBER OF COMPONENTS, LIFTING_SURFACE, DEGENGEOM TYPE, SURFACE_FACE, SURFACE_NODE, MAINSURFNDX, and many coordinate or property fields like SECTNORMALX, FLIPNORMAL, CGSHELLX/Y/Z, SWEEPLE, ANGLETE, AREAWET, etc. These identifiers help identify which component and degeneration type each row corresponds to, and what each numeric column means.

While we have not verified the apps ourselves yet, our users have suggested ten different CSV openers which you will find listed below.

RaceRender Data Format

RaceRender Data Format is a text-based telemetry file used by the RaceRender video-overlay software to sync recorded sensor and GPS data with video footage. It is created when exporting or saving log data from a GPS data logger, smartphone app, or GPS-enabled camera in a format that RaceRender can import. The format lets the software draw speed, position, lap timing, headings and other fields over video, map, and gauges.

Files are produced in plain text, generally using comma-separated values or a similar delimited layout. A "Time" field is mandatory - it supplies sample timestamps in seconds or "hh:mm:ss.nn" format. Other common fields are longitude, latitude, altitude, speed (MPH, KPH, or m/s), heading, lap number, RPM, gear, throttle position, acceleration (X and Y), GPS update flags, and accuracy. Additional columns may be included for custom data overlays. The rows must be sorted chronologically, and missing optional fields simply disable related overlays. Advanced features include precise lap times added as "# Lap N: hh:mm:ss.nn" tag lines anywhere in order, GPS latency correction via a "GPS_Delay" column, and interpolation of OBD-2 fields when marked with "*OBD" and accompanied by an "OBD_Update" flag.

The file starts with a header that must begin exactly with "# RaceRender Data" to enable advanced handling. Lines beginning with "#" may include metadata or special lap tags. The data section must contain column headers that include "Time" and any other selected fields. Values and headers may be quoted if they include commas or delimiter characters. Delimiters may be commas, tabs, or semicolons. The file may use ASCII or UTF-8 encoding, optionally with a UTF-8 Byte Order Mark. Line endings may be CR, LF, or CRLF.

Various apps that use files with this extension

These apps are known to open certain types of CSV files. Remember, different programs may use CSV files for different purposes, so you may need to try out a few of them to be able to open your specific file.

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