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CSV Column Extractor

Pick out just the columns you want from a CSV, in your browser. Choose by header name or 1-based number, in any order.

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Quick Answer

Paste a CSV and list the columns you want — by header name or 1-based number, comma-separated. The tool outputs a CSV of just those columns, in the order you list them, header included. Anything it cannot match is skipped. It runs entirely in your browser.

What the CSV Column Extractor Does

This keeps only the columns you ask for and drops the rest. You list them by header name (such as name) or by 1-based number (such as 1 for the first column), separated by commas.

The chosen columns come out in the order you listed them, so you can reorder as well as filter. The header row is kept, and any name or number it cannot match is simply skipped.

How It Works

Paste your CSV, header row first, and type the columns you want to keep.

Each entry is matched first against the header names; if it is not a header, it is read as a 1-based column number.

The matched columns are written out in your listed order, header included. Copy or download the result — all in your browser.

Data source & conversion logic

  1. Parse the CSV. The text is parsed into rows, including the header row.
  2. Resolve each column. Each entry you list is matched to a header name, or read as a 1-based number.
  3. Select in your order. The matched columns are pulled from every row in the order you listed.
  4. Output the CSV. The trimmed-down CSV is ready to copy or download.

How columns are selected

List the columns by header name or 1-based number, comma-separated Each entry is matched to a header, else read as a 1-based number Matched columns are output in the order you list them Unrecognised names or numbers are skipped
Worked example
From name,age,city, asking for name,city (or 1,3) keeps just those two columns in that order and drops age — the header row is kept.

Listing columns in a new order reorders them; a name or number that matches nothing is silently dropped.

Privacy

Your CSV is processed entirely in your browser — there is no server and nothing is uploaded.

The data never leaves your device, so even sensitive records stay private.

No account, no stored copy; the conversion is gone when you close the tab.

Technical Details

InputCSV with header row
Select byHeader name or 1-based number
OrderYour listed order
UnmatchedSkipped
HeaderKept
OutputCSV (.csv)
Processing100% in-browser

Standards & references

  • RFC 4180 (CSV) — The parser understands quoted fields, so a value with a comma is treated as a single column when selecting.
  • 1-based numbering — Columns are numbered from 1, so the first column is 1, not 0.

Accuracy & Limitations

Each entry is matched to a header name first; if it is not a header, it is read as a 1-based column number, where the first column is 1. Mixing names and numbers in one list is fine.

Anything it cannot match is silently dropped. A misspelled header or an out-of-range number simply does not appear, with no error, so check that your output has every column you expected.

Columns come out in the order you list them, so you can reorder as well as filter. The header row is kept at the top.

The parser handles quoted fields, so a value containing a comma is treated as one column, not split.

Real-World Use Cases

Trim to essentials

Keep only the few columns you need from a wide CSV.

Reorder columns

Output columns in a new order for another tool's import.

Drop sensitive fields

Remove columns you do not want to share by leaving them out.

Build a focused view

Make a small CSV of just the columns relevant to a task.

When to use it — and when not to

Good for

  • Keeping or reordering a few columns
  • Selecting by header name or position
  • Dropping columns you do not need

Not the best choice for

  • Filtering rows (this keeps every row)
  • Renaming columns
  • Combining or computing new columns

To filter rows or compute values, use a spreadsheet. To view the result as a table, use the CSV viewer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pick columns by name or by number?
Both. Each entry is matched against the header names first; if it is not a header, it is read as a 1-based column number.
Are columns numbered from 0 or 1?
From 1. The first column is 1, the second is 2, and so on.
What happens to a column I misspell?
It is silently dropped, with no error, so check the output contains every column you expected.
Can I reorder columns?
Yes. The columns come out in the order you list them, so you can rearrange as well as filter.
Does it keep the header?
Yes. The header row is kept at the top of the output.
Does it filter rows too?
No. Every row is kept; only the columns are selected.
Can I mix names and numbers?
Yes. You can list some columns by name and others by 1-based number in the same comma-separated list.
Does it handle quoted fields?
Yes. A value containing a comma stays as one column rather than being split.
What if a number is out of range?
It is skipped, the same as an unmatched name.
What format do I get?
A CSV (.csv) of just the chosen columns.
Is my data uploaded?
No. The extraction runs entirely in your browser.
How do I view the result as a table?
Use the CSV viewer to see the trimmed CSV as a table.

References

Selects the columns you name — by header text or by 1-based position — and outputs a CSV of just those, in the order you list them. Columns it cannot match are skipped. The header row is kept. Runs entirely in your browser.

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