How to Convert VCF to CSV Format in Simple Methods?
If you are finding a way to convert VCF to CSV file, you are in the right place. In this article, we will explain the reason for exporting your contacts and the expert solutions to change vCard file into CSV format. So, here we start this article by introducing you to VCF and CSV files.
VCF and CSV File – A Quick Overview
Due to the rapid change in technology, most users are switching from physical address books to digital contact formats like vCard and CSV. Virtual Contact File or short form VCF is a file format to store contact information. The file saves the data in various data fields depending on the version of the file you use.
CSV, on the other hand, is also used to store contact information. However, it saves the data in plain text format. This allows you to open the file in various programs like Outlook, Thunderbird, Notepad, etc. Therefore, the CSV file is a widely compatible. If we compare the VCF file with the CSV, the CSV file requires less storage space. Because of this, users like to save their contacts in CSV format. But, this is not the only case, there are other reasons which we will explain in detail below.
Reasons to Convert VCF to CSV File
vCard and CSV, both are used to switch physical address books to digital contacts. But, some users also want to change their VCF file into CSV format. There are many reasons behind this transition, which we will discuss below.
- It is difficult to edit or manage the VCF file in bulk. But, due to simple text formatting, CSV can easily be opened, managed, and edited.
- The VCF files contain individual records in one file. Therefore, it is hard to organize multiple vCard files. However, in CSV format, you can store as many contacts as you want.
- CSV file is used in platforms like spreadsheets. Whereas, Microsoft Excel doesn’t allow you to open VCF files.
- For your contacts backup, CSV is a much better option, than a vCard file. Due to the file saving multiple contact information at once.
So, these are the benefits you will get when you download the VCF file in CSV format. Now, for the solutions to export your files. So there are various options available which you can use. In the upcoming section of the article, we will see all the methods that are used to convert VCF to CSV files.
How to Manually Import vCard to CSV File?
To change the vCard format into CSV manually, you can use Windows Contacts Manager. This utility has an Import/Export functionality which can help you to save your contacts in the format you like. Google Contacts also allows you to import VCF files and export them to CSV format. If you are having problems using these methods, Notepad can also be used. Therefore, we have many methods available to convert the files.
- Export vCard files to CSV format using the Windows Contacts
- Using Google Contacts to import the file
- Open the file and change it to CSV with Notepad
These ways are free and easy, but for some, it might be tricky. Therefore, make sure that you first backup your VCF file before following the process.
Save vCard File into CSV in Windows Contacts
Windows Contacts Manager is a part of the Windows operating system. It is used to save and get the contact information. You can also use this program to export the VCF files. Below are the steps you have to follow.
- Open Run Command Prompt using Windows + R Key, and enter this path:
%systemdrive%\users\%username%\contacts.
- Next, you have to click on the “import” button listed on the navigation bar.
- Afterward, select the “vCard (VCF File)” option to import to Windows Contacts. Click “Import” to proceed.
- Select the required VCF files, and click on the “Open” button.
- All your vCard contacts will be transferred from the previous location to the Windows Contacts folder.
- Now, In the Windows Contacts Folder, click on the “Export” tab from the navigational panel.
- Select the export option as a CSV file, and click the “Export” button.
- Next, users have to browse the designation location and click on the “Save” button.
- Users can select the required vCard data fields to export them in CSV format.
- At last, click on the “Finish” button, and a pop-up menu will appear with a successful message.
- Now, browse to the resultant data file location to view vCard contacts in a CSV file.
That’s all, your VCF file will be in the CSV format after following these steps. If you are having problems following the steps. The next option will help you.
Convert vCard Files to CSV using Google Contacts
Google Contacts supports both VCF and CSV files, so it is easy to change your contact file. For this, follow the steps below.
- Log into your Gmail, at the right side click on the “Contacts” option.
- After that, press the “open in new tab” option. This will direct you to the Google Contacts page.
- Click on the “Import” option, then the “Select File” button.
- Go to the location where your VCF file is and open it.
- After opening the file, select the contacts you want.
- Click on the “Export” button. Browse a location and export it.
With these steps, your contacts will be exported in a CSV file. It is much better than the above solution. But, if you are not able to access the Google contacts. Consider the next method.
Convert VCF File to CSV Format in Notepad
Notepad is also used to import the vCard file. Just open the file in the program and convert the VCF file in the Excel program in the form of CSV.
- Go to the location where your VCF file is stored.
- Right-click on the file and open it in the Notepad.
- Copy the contact information. Then, run on the Excel sheet.
- Create a worksheet and paste the information into the respective columns.
- Organize the data as you want. Click on the “File” option, then the “Save As” button.
- Select the “CSV” option and save the file.
By following these steps you can easily get your files into the CSV format. However, some users may have difficulty using the above solutions. Which is discussed below.
Limitations of Manual Methods
The manual methods are free to use but it is not a full-fledged option. Because there are some issues which will make your work difficult. They are.
- If you have multiple files to convert. Then it will take too much time to export the files.
- There are chances that after converting the files, some of the data will be missing.
- Issues like data formatting also be missing during the process.
Thus, the manual methods have issues that can affect your work. But there is a professional approach that can be a great way to bulk export vCard files to CSV format.
How to Save Multiple VCF Files into CSV Format?
If you are facing the consequences of using the manual solution. A professional solution can help you in this process, such as Corbett vCard Converter. It’s an expert-verified utility that allows the conversion of your multiple VCF files to CSV format with all data fields. Users can use this software with all versions of vCard 2.1, 3.0, & 4.0.
With its advanced technology, you can completely export the files without any data loss. Not only this, the wizard is equipped with advanced functionalities that allow users to export vCard Contacts into email file formats, document formats, and Web & Desktop clients. A demo edition of the software is available that lets users evaluate the toolkit performance without investing any amount. So, click on the link above to download the software and follow the steps to convert the data.
Steps to Convert vCard to CSV Format
- Download VCF to CSV Converter & Install it on Windows OS.
- Click on “Open >> Email Data Files >> vCard Files. Use the Add File & Folder option to browse and upload VCF files.
- Next, the software will generate a preview of the VCF file with all data fields.
- Afterward, click on the Export button, and select the required option to convert VCF to CSV format.
- Last, apply the data filters, and click on the “Save” button to convert vCard to CSV format.
Prime Features of VCF to CSV Converter
Following are the functionalities, that a user will get with vCard Contacts to CSV Converter Software:
- The software is capable of batch conversion of VCF to CSV format with all data fields. Users can easily browse & upload multiple contact files to the software panel. Moreover, it can also efficiently combine multiple VCF files into one.
- It supports all editions of VCF 2.1, 3.0 & 4.0. In addition to that the software is also compatible with all editions of Windows OS.
- The tool provides multiple data filters to customize the output. Users can easily apply the data filters as per their requirements.
- This solution comes out with a preview panel that lets users view the contact details & raw vCard information.
Questions? We Have Answers!
Q1) Can a VCF file open in Excel?
Ans. VCF files cannot be directly opened in Excel. You have to convert it to the CSV format, then you can open the contact file.
Q2) What is the best way to read a VCF file?
Ans. To open and read a VCF File, you can use Google Contacts to import the file. Notepad also allows you to open and read the content of the VCF file.
Q3) How to extract a VCF file on a PC?
Ans. To open VCF files in your computer. There are numerous methods available which are Windows Contacts App, Google Contacts, and Notepad.
Q4) Can Google open a VCF File?
Ans. Yes, you can easily open the VCF file in Google. By opening the file in the Google Contacts.
So There You Have It
There is more than one way to convert VCF to CSV format and they are easy as well. This article provides several manual methods that you can use. But they have their own limitations. If you are having issues following them. The professional method will help you do your work effectively. After following them you can definitely get the advantages of a CSV file.