Import TSV into SQLite

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Want to import data from TSV file to SQLite?

Try Withdata FileToDB, a desktop TSV to SQLite converter for Windows, MacOS, and Linux, Convert TSV to SQLite, 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 locally and privately, avoid uploading large or private TSV file(s) to online services.
  • Support Windows, Linux, and macOS.

Download Withdata FileToDB Download FileToDB

Import data from TSV file to SQLite

Login to SQLite -> Choose TSV file -> Set SQLite table -> Import TSV to SQLite

Choose SQLite and logon.

load TSV data to SQLite table - Choose SQLite and logon

Click “Wizard – 1 File To 1 Table” at task dialog.

import TSV data to SQLite table - task window

Select the “TSV” file type.

Import TSV file data to SQLite table - select file type

then show the wizard.

1. Open a TSV file.

Support large ( > 4GB ) TSV file.

Import Data From TSV File To SQLite - open TSV file

Here is the file’s content.

Import Data From TSV File To SQLite - source TSV file

2. Select a SQLite table and config fields.

Load Data From TSV File To SQLite - select table

3. Preview data will be in SQLite table.

Transfer Data From TSV File To SQLite - preview

4. Import TSV data to SQLite.

Import Data From TSV File To SQLite - import data

View imported data in SQLite table

Convert TSV to SQLite - view data

Import TSV to SQLite in command line

Save “TSV to SQLite” session, then you can:

Set scheduled tasks for importing TSV to SQLite

You can schedule and automate this “TSV to SQLite” conversion task by:

  1. Save session and create .bat (Windows) or .sh (Linux/macOS) file for “TSV to SQLite” conversion.
  2. Set scheduled task for “TSV to SQLite” conversion.

FAQ

What is Withdata FileToDB?

How long does it take to import TSV data to SQLite?

Is it safe to import TSV data to SQLite using FileToDB?

Can I import TSV data to SQLite on Linux, Mac OS?

Can I import TSV data to SQLite in command line?

More about Withdata FileToDB – TSV to SQLite converter

See also:

TSV → SQLite reference

Type mapping

Value kindin TSVin SQLite
Int1234INTEGER
Bigint9007199254740993INTEGER
Decimal1234.56NUMERIC
Float1.234e+10REAL
Textunquoted; a tab in the value splits the columnTEXT
Long textunquoted; newlines break the rowTEXT
Date2026-09-18TEXT
Datetime2026-09-18 14:30:00TEXT
Binarynot representableBLOB
BooleanTRUE / FALSEINTEGER
JSONthe whole JSON value as-is (its own quotes stay)TEXT

Dialect differences

TSV is a file format and SQLite is a database server, so the target has to be told the types the file never carried - the rows below are where the two sides diverge.

Propertyin TSVin SQLite
port—(file-based)
identifiersRarely used, which is exactly why tabs in data break it"double quotes" or [brackets]
row limit—LIMIT n
datesConventional text: 2026-09-18 or 2026-09-18 14:30:00TEXT (no date type)
long text—TEXT
binaryNot supported - must be encodedBLOB
separatorTab—
encodingNo declaration - UTF-8 works only with a BOM—
typingNone - every field is text—
shapeFlat table, optional header rowTables of rows and columns
ceilingNo formal limit—

Command line

SideCommand
SQLitesqlite3 .dump
SQLite (load).import (sqlite3)

Convert your data online, free

Free in-browser converters for CSV, Excel, JSON, XML and SQL: Withdata Online Data Conversion. Large files, batch conversion or scheduling? See the offline desktop apps, or browse all data conversion tools.

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