About the CSV Column Extractor
A CSV export often holds twenty columns when you only need three. This extractor keeps just the columns you name and drops the rest. Paste the file, then list the columns by number, by range such as 2-4, or by the header names, for example name, city. The order you type is the order of the output, so it also reorders columns. Separators are detected automatically for comma, semicolon, tab and pipe files, and quoted values with commas inside stay in one piece. The work happens in your browser, so the data is not uploaded.
Updated October 2026
How to use the CSV Column Extractor
- 1Paste your CSV into the left box.
- 2Type the columns to keep: numbers like 2,4, a range like 2-4, or header names like name, city.
- 3Leave the header option on if the first row contains column names.
- 4Read the result and the count of kept columns under the box.
- 5Copy the new CSV or download it.
Why trim a CSV down to a few columns
Smaller files are easier to review, easier to import and safer to share. If a colleague only needs names and cities, there is no reason to send them the phone numbers and notes as well. Extracting the columns also makes a spreadsheet import quicker and keeps formulas away from fields you do not use.
Because the tool works on the text, dates, leading zeros and long numbers are not touched the way they can be when a spreadsheet opens the file.
How to write the column list
Numbers start at 1 for the first column. A range uses a dash. Header names are written as they appear in the first row; if a name itself contains a comma, use its number instead. You can mix the styles in one list, and the output follows your order.
If you want the opposite, to delete a few columns and keep everything else, the CSV Column Remover on this site does that in one step.
- Numbers: 1,4
- Range: 2-5
- Names: name, city
- Mixed: 1, 3-4
Checking the result
Look at the first few lines of the output and the note under the box that says how many columns and rows were kept. If the count is not what you expected, check that the header option matches your file and that the right separator was detected.
Common uses
Marketing teams extract the email and name columns for a mailing list. Analysts extract the date and amount columns to build a chart. Developers extract the key and value columns to feed a script. In each case the shorter file loads faster and is easier to check by eye.
If your file is delimited by semicolons or tabs, there is nothing to change: the separator is detected from the first lines and kept in the output. If you need another order, use the CSV Column Swapper, and for the full set of tools see CSV Tools.
Features
- Pick columns by number, range or header name
- Output follows the order you type
- Handles quoted values with commas
- Comma, semicolon, tab and pipe files
- Shows how many columns and rows were kept
- Private: nothing is uploaded
Frequently asked questions
How do I extract specific columns from a CSV?
Paste the CSV and list the columns you want, such as 1,3 or name, email. The tool writes a new CSV containing only those columns, in the order you typed them.
Can I select columns by name?
Yes, as long as the first row is a header row and that option is ticked. Type the header names separated by commas. Names are matched without regard to capital letters, so Email and email both work.
Can I use a range of columns?
Yes. Write 2-4 to keep the second, third and fourth columns. You can mix it with single columns, for example 1, 3-5.
Can this reorder columns too?
Yes. Columns come out in the order you list them, so typing 3,1 gives you the third column first and the first column second.
What happens if I name a column that does not exist?
The tool does not guess. It shows a message that tells you which column it could not find, so you can fix the spelling or the number.
Is the CSV sent to a server?
No. Everything is done in your browser tab, so an export with names or email addresses stays on your device.