Why CSV cleanup matters
CSV is common because almost every tool can read it. The downside is that files often arrive with inconsistent spacing, blank rows, duplicate headers, mixed date formats, or values that contain commas inside quotes.
What to review
- Header names are clear and unique.
- Blank rows are removed when they are not meaningful.
- Quoted values are preserved correctly.
- Dates, currency, and percentages use expected formats.
- Duplicate rows are handled deliberately.
Common mistakes
Do not clean important data without keeping the original file. Another mistake is converting IDs or account-like values into numbers, which can remove leading zeros.
FAQ
Should I remove all duplicates?
Only if duplicates are truly unwanted. Some datasets can have repeated values for valid reasons.
Can CSV cleanup change data?
Yes, especially around dates, numbers, quotes, and leading zeros. Review before importing.