CSV Column Extractor
Paste or upload a CSV, pick the columns to keep, and download a filtered CSV. Runs entirely in your browser.
Pure browser JavaScript. CSV parsing by PapaParse (MIT), self-hosted.
How to use this tool
- Paste CSV or upload a .csv file (the first row must be a header).
- Click Parse columns, then tick the columns you want to keep.
- Click Extract, then Copy or Download the filtered CSV.
Paste or upload a CSV, pick the columns to keep, and download a filtered CSV. Runs entirely in your browser.
How it works
This tool lets you keep only the columns you need from a CSV file, discarding the rest. It is useful for removing sensitive data before sharing, reducing file size, or preparing a subset of columns for a specific import format.
Paste or upload your CSV. The tool parses the header row and displays a checklist of all column names. Check the columns you want to keep, then download the filtered CSV containing only those columns in their original order.
Everything runs in your browser — no data is transmitted. The output preserves the original row count and quoting of kept fields.
This is particularly handy when working with exports that contain dozens of columns but you only need three or four for your analysis or import target.
Worked example
Extract name and email columns from a CRM export
- Upload your CRM export CSV (which may contain 20+ columns).
- Uncheck all columns except First Name, Last Name, and Email.
- Click Extract.
- Download the resulting CSV with only those three columns.
A clean CSV with three columns and the same number of data rows as the original.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Forgetting to check at least one column — the output needs at least one selected column to be meaningful.
- Confusing column names that look similar (e.g., City vs City Name) and selecting the wrong one.
- Expecting the tool to reorder columns; it only filters, not reorders.
Key terms
- Header row
- The first row of a CSV that labels each column; the tool uses this to display the column checklist.
- Column subset
- A selection of columns from a larger dataset, keeping only those relevant to the current task.
- Column order
- The tool outputs selected columns in the same left-to-right order they appear in the original file.
Frequently asked questions
- Is my file uploaded?
- No — parsing happens locally in your browser via PapaParse. Nothing leaves your device.
- Does it handle quoted commas?
- Yes — PapaParse correctly parses quoted fields, embedded commas, and escapes.