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.
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.