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CSV only allows one tab to be saved, why users are allowed to create multiple tabs in the file in the first place

Lai, Jianwei 0 Reputation points
2026-03-10T17:34:59.4233333+00:00

I spent quite a lot time working on something, and all my new tabs were gone. I am so frustrated now. When I closed the file, I did not think I got any warning that the other tabs will be gone.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Windows
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  1. Jeronimo Fuerte 38,245 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-03-10T18:28:04.7133333+00:00

    Hi! I’m sorry this happened. A CSV file is a plain text format, so it can only store one table from one sheet. Apps like Excel still let you add multiple tabs while you work because the program is editing the workbook in memory, but when you save as .csv, only the active sheet can be kept. The other tabs, formulas, formatting, and many Excel features are not supported by CSV at all.

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