Getting Started¶
This page covers opening files, creating new ones, and getting a file into Smart CSV Editor in the first place.
Opening an existing file¶
Smart CSV Editor is built on the system document browser, so it works just like Files:
- Launch Smart CSV Editor.
- You'll see the file browser. Browse to the CSV or TSV file you want — on your device, in iCloud Drive, or in any other location Files can reach.
- Tap the file to open it in the editor.
Supported file types:
| Type | Extension | Description |
|---|---|---|
| CSV | .csv |
Comma-separated values |
| TSV | .tsv |
Tab-separated values |
Auto-detection
When a file opens, Smart CSV Editor automatically detects the field separator (comma, semicolon, tab, pipe, or space) and the text encoding. A brief notice at the top shows what it detected, e.g. "Opened as Comma · UTF-8." If the content looks wrong, tap Adjust to fix it — see Re-opening with custom settings.
Opening from another app ("Open with")¶
Because Smart CSV Editor registers as a handler for CSV and TSV files, it shows up wherever iOS offers apps to open a file:
- In Mail, Messages, or any app that received a CSV — tap the attachment, then choose Share → Smart CSV Editor, or tap Open with… → Smart CSV Editor.
- In the Files app — long-press a
.csvor.tsvfile → Share → Smart CSV Editor, or use Open With.
The file opens straight into the editor, ready to fix and send back. This works whether Smart CSV Editor was already running or not.
Copy vs. edit in place
Opening a file from Files (tap or Open With) edits the original file in place — your changes autosave back to it. Sharing from apps like Mail or Messages hands Smart CSV Editor a copy, which is imported into the app's storage; edits apply to that copy, not the original attachment.
Creating a new file¶
To start from scratch:
- In the document browser, tap the Create Document / + button (top of the browser).
- A new, empty CSV document opens in the editor.
- Add rows and columns and start typing. See Rows & Columns and Editing Data.
The Sample file¶
On first launch, a Sample.csv ("Coffee Shop Orders") is placed in your Documents so you have a ready-made file to explore. It contains 28 orders with typed columns:
| Column | Type |
|---|---|
| Date | Text |
| Item | Text |
| Category | Select (dropdown) |
| Qty | Number |
| Unit Price | Currency |
| Total | Currency |
| Tip | Percentage |
| Paid | Checkbox |
| Rating | Rating (stars) |
Open it to see how column types, sorting and filtering, and charts work on real data.
Saving¶
Smart CSV Editor autosaves your changes back to the file as you work — there's no Save button to hunt for. To make a copy, rename, or move a file, use the document browser (long-press the file → Duplicate / Rename / Move). More detail in File Formats & Saving.