What YAML shape becomes CSV?

A list (top-level sequence) of maps with the same keys. Each map is a row; the keys are the columns. Any other shape doesn't have a natural CSV equivalent.

How are nested maps handled?

Flattened with dot-notation headers by default (`user.name`). Toggle 'serialize nested' to keep them as JSON-encoded cell values.

What if keys differ between records?

Columns are the union of all keys. Records missing a column get an empty cell. The output is rectangular regardless of input variability.

Does it preserve type information?

No — CSV is all strings. Booleans become `true`/`false` strings; numbers lose precision if they were very large YAML integers.

YAML to CSV | DevTools Surf

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Example: YAML to CSV

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

Input

- name: Alice
  email: alice@test.com
  age: 30
- name: Bob
  email: bob@test.com
  age: 25

Output

name,email,age
Alice,alice@test.com,30
Bob,bob@test.com,25

About YAML to CSV

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

Use Cases

Data analysts converting YAML datasets into CSV for spreadsheet analysis
DevOps engineers exporting YAML inventory data to CSV for reporting
Product managers transforming YAML feature flags into CSV for tracking
QA engineers converting YAML test configurations to CSV for test matrices

Tips

Flatten nested YAML mappings before conversion for cleaner output
Verify that YAML sequences convert to individual CSV rows
Check that YAML's special values like ~ and null map correctly

Fun Facts

YAML sequences (arrays) map naturally to CSV rows, but YAML mappings (objects) require key-to-column flattening.
The 'Norway problem' in YAML can cause country code 'NO' to become 'false' in CSV output if not properly quoted.
YAML's support for multiple data types (dates, booleans, numbers) requires careful handling during CSV conversion.

FAQ

What YAML shape becomes CSV?: A list (top-level sequence) of maps with the same keys. Each map is a row; the keys are the columns. Any other shape doesn't have a natural CSV equivalent.
How are nested maps handled?: Flattened with dot-notation headers by default (`user.name`). Toggle 'serialize nested' to keep them as JSON-encoded cell values.
What if keys differ between records?: Columns are the union of all keys. Records missing a column get an empty cell. The output is rectangular regardless of input variability.
Does it preserve type information?: No — CSV is all strings. Booleans become `true`/`false` strings; numbers lose precision if they were very large YAML integers.

Related Converters Tools

JSON to XML JSON to CSV JSON to YAML JSON to TSV JSON to String XML to JSON XML to CSV XML to String