TSV File Extension
Tab Separated Values Format
- File Type tsv
- Popularity
- Application Windows Notepad
- Category Text Files, Spreadsheet Files
- Format Text
What is a TSV file?
Files with the TSV extension are associated with Tab Separated Values Format and are categorized as Text Files and Spreadsheet Files, making up 428 files.
TSV files are supported by Windows, Mac OS and Linux. When working with TSV files, you can rely on 6 programs, including Windows Notepad, Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel.
MIME types
- text/tab-separated-values
Programs that support TSV files
How to open a TSV file?
If you can’t open a TSV file, it is usually because the necessary software is missing. To resolve the issue, select the right program from the list for your operating system. Then go to the official website of the developer, download the software, and install it.
The most popular programs for working with TSV files are Windows Notepad, Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel. To install the latest version of Windows Notepad on your computer, visit the Microsoft website where you can download the version available for all operating systems.
Following installation, TSV files should be automatically opened with Windows Notepad.
Set Windows Notepad as your default TSV viewer
Changing the default program in Windows
- Right-click on your TSV file, then choose the "Open with" option and select "Choose another application" from the available options;
- From the list of applications in the pop-up window, find and select Windows Notepad as your desired application;
- Check the "Always use this app" checkbox, and then click "OK" to set your chosen app as the default for opening TSV files.
Set default app to open files on Mac
- Right-click or Control + left-click on the desired TSV file to open a menu of available actions;
- Select "Open in application" and click "Other";
- Look at the bottom of the window, where you will see the "Enable" menu. "Recommended Programs" will be selected as the default option;
- Within this menu select "All Programs" and navigate to Windows Notepad. Check the box next to "Always open in app" to make sure it’s the default option.
Convert to and from TSV
If you have trouble working with a TSV file, try converting it to ACCDB, X or similar text files.
Please note that after converting a TSV file, some functionality may differ from the original. However, in many cases, it can be converted back to its original format.
Convert TSV to other file formats
Solving Common TSV File Challenges
When issues arise with TSV files, they can generally be fixed with small software tweaks. Use the troubleshooting tips below to help resolve them.
What are the warning signs that my TSV file may be corrupted?
Corrupted TSV text files may have one or more of the following symptoms:
- Error messages appear during the course of working with the file;
- Attempts to open the file result in errors or failed results;
- Unexplained increase in TSV file size;
- The file causes Windows Notepad or other programs to hang or crash during operation;
Why does Windows Notepad crash?
Windows Notepad crashes can be caused by outdated software. Keep your Microsoft products up to date by installing the latest updates.
A simple restart of your computer can often fix many common problems, which is why it is the recommended first step before making any adjustments to your software settings.
How to repair a corrupted TSV file?
Use a data recovery program to open the damaged TSV file and from the menu choose "Repair" function to start the repair process. Please be patient while the recovery process completes, which will automatically restore the damaged text files.