Importing and Exporting Data (CSV and XLSX)

Move data in and out

StretchSheets works cleanly with the file formats every business tool understands. You can import data from a CSV file and export any workbook as CSV or XLSX, making it easy to share sheets, keep offline backups, and move data between StretchSheets and the rest of StretchSuite.

Importing from CSV

1. Open a workbook in the Editor.
2. Click Import (the Import CSV button) in the toolbar.
3. Choose a .csv file from your device.
4. StretchSheets reads the rows and columns and loads them into the grid.
5. Review the imported data, adjust formatting or headers as needed, and click Save.

Importing is the fastest way to get an existing list — a customer export, a product feed, a report from another system — into a StretchSheets workbook where you can add formulas, formatting, and charts.

Exporting to CSV

1. Open the workbook you want to export.
2. Click CSV (the Download CSV button) in the toolbar.
3. StretchSheets generates a CSV file of the sheet's data and downloads it to your device.

CSV is plain, universal, and ideal for feeding data into another tool or importing into another app. Note that CSV holds values only — formulas are exported as their calculated results, and styling and charts aren't part of a CSV.

Exporting to XLSX

1. Open the workbook.
2. Click XLSX (the Download XLSX button) in the toolbar.
3. StretchSheets generates a spreadsheet file and downloads it.

XLSX is the right choice when you want a richer spreadsheet file to open in a desktop spreadsheet app or share with someone outside the suite.

A realistic example

Your operations team keeps a master product list in another system. You export it from there as a CSV, open a new StretchSheets workbook, click Import, and choose the file — the SKUs, locations, and counts land in the grid. You add a Status column with =IF(C2<=D2,"Reorder","OK"), bold the header, and Save. At the end of the week you click XLSX to download a snapshot for the warehouse manager, and CSV to feed the updated counts back into the source system. StretchSheets sat comfortably in the middle, adding the logic and formatting the raw files couldn't.

Tips

• Keep a clean header row in your CSV so columns line up predictably on import.
• Use CSV for machine-to-machine data movement and XLSX when a person will open the file in a spreadsheet app.
• Exporting to XLSX or CSV is also a great way to archive an exact version beyond the rolling 20-snapshot history (see Version History and Snapshots).
• After importing, apply formulas and formatting in StretchSheets — the import brings values, and the workbook is where you add the intelligence.

Troubleshooting

• My CSV imported into one column. The file may use an unexpected delimiter or have quoting issues. Re-export it as a standard comma-separated CSV and import again.
• Formulas didn't come through on export. CSV stores calculated values, not formula text — that's expected. Use the workbook itself (or XLSX) to preserve the working structure.
• The download didn't start. Check your browser's download/pop-up settings and try the CSV or XLSX button again.

FAQ

Which formats can I export?
CSV and XLSX, both from the editor toolbar.

Can I import an XLSX file?
Import brings in CSV data directly. To load an XLSX, save it as CSV first, then import.

Does exporting change my workbook?
No. Exporting produces a downloaded copy and leaves the workbook untouched.