Convert Excel to CSV on iPad: Step-by-Step Guide

Kayla Jul 09, 2026

Ever found yourself in a situation where you need to save an Excel file as a CSV on your iPad, but weren't sure how to go about it? You're not alone. While iPads are fantastic for consuming content, they can be a bit tricky when it comes to manipulating files. But don't worry, with the right steps, you can easily achieve this. Let's dive into a step-by-step guide on how to save an Excel file as a CSV on your iPad.

how to split a huge csv excel file into separate files
how to split a huge csv excel file into separate files

Before we start, ensure that you have the Microsoft Excel app installed on your iPad. If not, you can download it from the App Store. Now, let's get started.

MS Office Tutorial | How to convert CSV files into EXCEL Workbooks – Step-by-step tutorial - up2dateskills
MS Office Tutorial | How to convert CSV files into EXCEL Workbooks – Step-by-step tutorial - up2dateskills

Accessing Your Excel File

First, you need to access the Excel file you want to convert. This could be a file stored locally on your iPad or one stored in the cloud, like in OneDrive or Google Drive.

[2025 guide] How to open CSV files in Excel
[2025 guide] How to open CSV files in Excel

If your file is stored in the cloud, you can access it directly from the Excel app. Just tap on the 'Open' button, then select the cloud service where your file is stored. If your file is stored locally, tap on the 'Browse' button and navigate to its location.

Opening the Excel File

Top 21 Excel Formulas
Top 21 Excel Formulas

Once you've located your file, tap on it to open it. The file will open in the Excel app, and you'll see its contents on the screen. Now, let's move on to saving it as a CSV.

Converting the File

To convert the Excel file to a CSV, you first need to ensure that the file is in the correct format. Excel files are typically saved in the .xlsx format, which is not the same as a CSV. So, you need to save the file in the .xls format first.

How to Convert Excel to PDF & PDF to Excel
How to Convert Excel to PDF & PDF to Excel

To do this, tap on the 'File' button at the top left corner of the screen. Then, select 'Save As'. In the 'Save As' screen, tap on the 'Format' option and select 'Excel 97-2004 Workbook (*.xls)'. Then, tap 'Save'.

Exporting as CSV

Now that your file is in the correct format, you can export it as a CSV. Tap on the 'File' button again, then select 'Share'. In the 'Share' screen, tap on the 'Export' option. Here, you'll see a list of formats you can export the file as. Tap on 'CSV (Comma delimited)'.

How to Recover An Unsaved Excel File
How to Recover An Unsaved Excel File

You'll be prompted to choose whether you want to include the column headers in the CSV file. If your data has headers, it's a good idea to include them. Then, tap 'Export'.

Saving the CSV File

Must Know
Must Know
Everything You Can Do In Excel (with AI)
Everything You Can Do In Excel (with AI)
Copy Only Visible Cells in Excel
Copy Only Visible Cells in Excel
130+ Free Excel Tutorials
130+ Free Excel Tutorials
The 5 Best Websites to Download Free Excel Templates
The 5 Best Websites to Download Free Excel Templates
Paste CSV into Excel
Paste CSV into Excel
Autofit Rows and Columns in Excel with VBA
Autofit Rows and Columns in Excel with VBA
a computer screen with the text ctrl + g on it
a computer screen with the text ctrl + g on it
Advanced Excel
Advanced Excel
Excel Save As Quiz for Beginners
Excel Save As Quiz for Beginners
the microsoft excel shortcut key tricks manual is shown in this image, with instructions to use
the microsoft excel shortcut key tricks manual is shown in this image, with instructions to use
Excel Quick Tips
Excel Quick Tips
the excel shortcuts list is shown in red and green, with numbers on each side
the excel shortcuts list is shown in red and green, with numbers on each side
Excel Formulas Cheatsheet
Excel Formulas Cheatsheet
6 Advanced Microsoft Excel Features You Must Know
6 Advanced Microsoft Excel Features You Must Know
a poster with words and pictures on it that say, excel chat sheet exce
a poster with words and pictures on it that say, excel chat sheet exce
the excel basics for beginners poster is shown in green and white, with instructions on how
the excel basics for beginners poster is shown in green and white, with instructions on how
how to save time on Ms Excel.
how to save time on Ms Excel.
the excel formula sheet is filled with information for each item in this chart, you can see
the excel formula sheet is filled with information for each item in this chart, you can see
My 9 Favorite Excel Formatting Tricks to Make My Data Pop
My 9 Favorite Excel Formatting Tricks to Make My Data Pop

After exporting the file as a CSV, you'll be prompted to choose a location to save it. You can save it to your iPad's local storage, or you can save it to a cloud service like iCloud Drive, OneDrive, or Google Drive.

Once you've chosen a location, tap 'Save'. Your Excel file will now be saved as a CSV in the location you chose.

Accessing Your Saved CSV File

To access your saved CSV file, you can use a text editor or a spreadsheet app that supports CSV files. Some popular options include Google Sheets, Numbers, or even the built-in Files app on your iPad.

Just open the app you want to use, navigate to the location where you saved the file, and tap on it to open it. You should now see your data in a CSV format.

And there you have it! You've successfully saved an Excel file as a CSV on your iPad. This process might seem a bit complex at first, but with a little practice, you'll be converting files like a pro. Happy converting!