Is the output a list or a map?

A list of maps. Each CSV row becomes one map entry with column names as keys. Matches the `---\n- key: value` YAML convention.

How does it handle empty cells?

Configurable — default writes them as `null` (YAML null). Toggle to use empty string or omit the key entirely.

YAML's `|` block literal preserves newlines. Values containing `\n` become block literals; single-line values stay inline.

Yes — flow style is more compact: `[{a: 1, b: 2}, ...]`. Block style is more readable for longer rows. Default is block.

A worked example, rendered from real sample data. Sign in to run the tool on your own input.

Input

name,age,city
Alice,30,New York
Bob,25,San Francisco

Output

- name: Alice
  age: '30'
  city: New York
- name: Bob
  age: '25'
  city: San Francisco

Convert CSV data to YAML format. Part of the DevTools Surf developer suite. Browse more tools in the Converters collection.

Converting CSV to YAML can reduce file size compared to XML conversion since YAML uses indentation instead of closing tags.
YAML's readable format makes CSV-to-YAML popular for generating configuration files from spreadsheet-managed data.
CSV-to-YAML conversion tools must decide between generating a sequence of mappings or a mapping of sequences.

Is the output a list or a map?: A list of maps. Each CSV row becomes one map entry with column names as keys. Matches the `---\n- key: value` YAML convention.
How does it handle empty cells?: Configurable — default writes them as `null` (YAML null). Toggle to use empty string or omit the key entirely.
What about multi-line CSV values?: YAML's `|` block literal preserves newlines. Values containing `\n` become block literals; single-line values stay inline.
Can I output flow style instead of block style?: Yes — flow style is more compact: `[{a: 1, b: 2}, ...]`. Block style is more readable for longer rows. Default is block.

A worked example, rendered from real sample data. Sign in to run the tool on your own input.

Input

name,age,city
Alice,30,New York
Bob,25,San Francisco

Output

- name: Alice
  age: '30'
  city: New York
- name: Bob
  age: '25'
  city: San Francisco

Convert CSV data to YAML format. Part of the DevTools Surf developer suite. Browse more tools in the Converters collection.

Converting CSV to YAML can reduce file size compared to XML conversion since YAML uses indentation instead of closing tags.
YAML's readable format makes CSV-to-YAML popular for generating configuration files from spreadsheet-managed data.
CSV-to-YAML conversion tools must decide between generating a sequence of mappings or a mapping of sequences.

Is the output a list or a map?: A list of maps. Each CSV row becomes one map entry with column names as keys. Matches the `---\n- key: value` YAML convention.
How does it handle empty cells?: Configurable — default writes them as `null` (YAML null). Toggle to use empty string or omit the key entirely.
What about multi-line CSV values?: YAML's `|` block literal preserves newlines. Values containing `\n` become block literals; single-line values stay inline.
Can I output flow style instead of block style?: Yes — flow style is more compact: `[{a: 1, b: 2}, ...]`. Block style is more readable for longer rows. Default is block.