Convert Typst to CSV

Why Convert Typst to CSV?

Converting Typst documents to CSV extracts tabular data from your typeset documents into a universally compatible spreadsheet format. When your Typst documents contain tables with data -- whether research results, financial figures, or technical specifications -- converting to CSV makes that data accessible for analysis in Excel, Google Sheets, pandas, R, and database systems.

Typst's #table() function creates beautifully formatted tables for document presentation, but the data within those tables is locked in a typesetting format. Converting to CSV liberates this data, enabling you to perform calculations, create charts, run statistical analysis, or import the data into business intelligence tools without manual re-entry.

This conversion is especially valuable for researchers and analysts who use Typst to prepare reports containing data tables. Instead of copying numbers by hand from a formatted document, the converter extracts the structured data directly into CSV format, preserving the row-and-column organization while stripping away formatting that is not relevant for data processing.

Key Benefits of Converting Typst to CSV:

• Data Extraction: Pull tabular data from typeset documents automatically
• Spreadsheet Ready: Open directly in Excel, Google Sheets, or LibreOffice
• Analysis Compatible: Import into pandas, R, MATLAB, or other tools
• Database Import: Load data into SQL databases with standard import tools
• Universal Format: CSV is supported by virtually every data tool
• Lightweight: Small file sizes with no formatting overhead
• Programmable: Easy to parse and process with any scripting language

Practical Examples

Example 1: Research Data Table

Input Typst file (results.typ):

= Experiment Results

#table(
  columns: 4,
  [Sample], [Temperature], [Pressure], [Yield],
  [A-001], [25.0], [1.0], [85.3%],
  [A-002], [30.0], [1.5], [91.7%],
  [A-003], [35.0], [2.0], [78.2%],
  [A-004], [40.0], [2.5], [69.5%],
)

Output CSV file (results.csv):

Sample,Temperature,Pressure,Yield
A-001,25.0,1.0,85.3%
A-002,30.0,1.5,91.7%
A-003,35.0,2.0,78.2%
A-004,40.0,2.5,69.5%

Example 2: Financial Report Data

Input Typst file (report.typ):

= Quarterly Revenue Report

#table(
  columns: 3,
  [Quarter], [Revenue], [Growth],
  [Q1 2025], [$2,450,000], [+12%],
  [Q2 2025], [$2,890,000], [+18%],
  [Q3 2025], [$3,120,000], [+8%],
)

*Total Revenue:* $8,460,000

Output CSV file (report.csv):

Quarter,Revenue,Growth
"Q1 2025","$2,450,000",+12%
"Q2 2025","$2,890,000",+18%
"Q3 2025","$3,120,000",+8%

Example 3: Technical Specifications

Input Typst file (specs.typ):

= Server Specifications

#table(
  columns: 3,
  [Server], [CPU], [RAM],
  [web-01], [8 cores], [32 GB],
  [db-01], [16 cores], [64 GB],
  [cache-01], [4 cores], [16 GB],
)

== Notes
All servers run _Ubuntu 22.04 LTS_.

Output CSV file (specs.csv):

Server,CPU,RAM
web-01,8 cores,32 GB
db-01,16 cores,64 GB
cache-01,4 cores,16 GB

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How are Typst tables extracted to CSV?

A: The converter identifies #table() constructs in the Typst source and extracts the cell content into comma-separated rows. The first row typically becomes the CSV header, and subsequent rows become data records. Multiple tables in a document are concatenated in the output.

Q: What happens to non-table content in the Typst file?

A: Non-tabular content such as headings, paragraphs, math, and formatting is extracted as text content. The primary focus of the conversion is on structured tabular data from #table() elements, which maps naturally to CSV rows and columns.

Q: How are commas in cell content handled?

A: Following the RFC 4180 standard, cell values containing commas are enclosed in double quotes. For example, a cell with "$2,450,000" becomes "$2,450,000" in the CSV output. This ensures that commas within data do not break the column structure.

Q: Can I open the CSV file in Microsoft Excel?

A: Yes. CSV is a native import format for Excel. Simply double-click the .csv file or use File > Open in Excel. The data will automatically be parsed into rows and columns. For UTF-8 encoded content, use Data > From Text/CSV import to ensure proper character display.

Q: Are Typst math expressions preserved in CSV?

A: Math expressions within table cells are converted to their plain text representation. For example, $x^2$ becomes "x^2" in the CSV cell. Complex mathematical notation is simplified to readable text suitable for spreadsheet display.

Q: What encoding does the CSV output use?

A: The CSV output uses UTF-8 encoding, which supports all international characters and symbols. This ensures compatibility with modern spreadsheet applications and data tools. A BOM (Byte Order Mark) can be added if needed for older Excel versions.

Q: Can I import the CSV into a database?

A: Yes. The CSV output is compatible with standard database import tools. MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, and MongoDB all support CSV import. Use commands like LOAD DATA INFILE (MySQL) or \\copy (PostgreSQL) to import the data directly into database tables.

Q: How are merged cells or multi-column spans handled?

A: CSV does not support merged cells. If the Typst table contains column spans via table.cell(colspan: 2), the spanned content is placed in the first column and the remaining columns are left empty. This preserves the data while maintaining CSV's flat structure.