Batch convert TSV files to Excel files

Shiji Pan

1 year ago

Want to batch convert TSV files to Excel files?

Try Withdata Data File Converter, a desktop TSV to Excel converter for Windows, MacOS, and Linux, Batch convert TSV to Excel, Easy and Fast.

Can run in GUI mode, Step by Step, just a few mouse clicks.
Can run in Command line, for Scheduled Tasks and Streams.
Convert files locally and privately, avoid uploading large TSV file(s) to online services.
Support Windows, Linux, and macOS.

Click “Start a New Convert” at task dialog.

then show the wizard.

Select From “Files” “TSV” To “Files” “Excel”.

And config the first source TSV file.

List source TSV files.

After converting, you can view output Excel files.

TSV → EXCEL reference

Value kind	in TSV	in EXCEL
Int	`1234`	`1234 (a real numeric cell)`
Bigint	`9007199254740993`	`9007199254740993 (exact only while the cell stays text)`
Decimal	`1234.56`	`1234.56 (numeric cell, format controls the displayed decimals)`
Float	`1.234e+10`	`1.234E+10 (numeric cell)`
Text	`unquoted; a tab in the value splits the column`	`text cell; leading zeros survive only if the column is text`
Long text	`unquoted; newlines break the row`	`text cell; wraps inside the cell rather than the row`
Date	`2026-09-18`	`a serial number plus a date cell format`
Datetime	`2026-09-18 14:30:00`	`a serial number plus a date-time cell format`
Binary	`not representable`	`not representable as data`
Boolean	`TRUE / FALSE`	`TRUE / FALSE (a real boolean cell)`
JSON	`the whole JSON value as-is (its own quotes stay)`	`a text cell; the quotes are part of the value`

Both TSV and EXCEL are file formats, so what differs below is how each one chooses to represent a value.

Property	in TSV	in EXCEL
identifiers	`Rarely used, which is exactly why tabs in data break it`	`Not applicable; a cell holds exactly one value`
dates	`Conventional text: 2026-09-18 or 2026-09-18 14:30:00`	`Stored as a serial number; only the cell format makes it lo...`
binary	`Not supported - must be encoded`	`Only as text or an embedded object, not as a data column`
separator	`Tab`	`Cells, not delimiters`
encoding	`No declaration - UTF-8 works only with a BOM`	`UTF-8 internally, declared in the package`
typing	`None - every field is text`	`Real cell types: text, number, date, boolean, error`
shape	`Flat table, optional header row`	`Multiple sheets, each a flat grid`
ceiling	`No formal limit`	`1,048,576 rows x 16,384 columns per sheet; 255 sheets per w...`

For batch jobs, large files and scheduling use the Data File Converter converter — an offline desktop app for Windows, Linux and macOS. Free trial.

New to the format? Read what a TSV file is (and how it differs from CSV).