VisiData
Explore tabular data with VisiData, an interactive command-line multitool that combines spreadsheet-like clarity with terminal and Python workflows.
About VisiData
VisiData is an interactive multitool for exploring tabular data. It runs in the terminal and combines the layout of a spreadsheet with terminal workflows and Python. The homepage describes it as lightweight and says it can handle millions of rows.
It reads a wide range of inputs, including CSV, TSV, Excel, JSON, HTML, YAML, HDF5, SQLite databases, zip archives, and git repositories. It can also run in batch mode for data pipelines and compute Python expressions for each row. The homepage describes it as a command-line tool, so users need to work in a terminal rather than a graphical spreadsheet application.
Key features
- Opens datasets of more than one million rows
- Reads CSV, TSV, Excel, JSON, HDF5, SQLite, and many other formats
- Creates an instant histogram with one keystroke
- Draws scatterplots in the terminal
- Saves sessions for replay later
- Runs batch mode for ad hoc data pipelines
Best for: People who work in the terminal and need to explore, check, or script over large tabular files.
Good for
- Handles very large files, with the homepage citing more than one million rows
- Supports a broad set of input formats
- Supports both interactive exploration and batch processing
Watch out for
- Works in a command-line terminal rather than as a graphical spreadsheet
VisiData at a glance
- Website
- visidata.org
- Category
- Software & Utilities › Text Editors
- Type
- Website
- Pricing
- Not confirmed. Check the site
- Platforms
- Web
- Open source
- Not stated
- Language
- English
- Last checked
- Oct 6, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 5, 2026
Guides for Text Editors
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VisiData FAQ
Can VisiData be run without the interactive interface?
Yes. The homepage shows batch mode, for example with the command vd -b input.csv, and describes it for ad hoc data pipelines.
What kinds of data files can it open?
The homepage lists formats including CSV, TSV, fixed-width text, Excel files (.xls/.xlsx), JSON, JSON Lines, HTML, YAML, HDF5, NumPy files, SAS, SPSS and Stata files, Shapefiles, pcap files, SQLite databases, zip archives, and git repositories.
Can I save my work and return to it later?
The homepage says you can save sessions for replay later.
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