CSV to vCard Conversion

Why CSV to VCF Conversion is required?

Converting CSV to vCard is like transforming your contact list from a basic spreadsheet into a dynamic digital address book!
The need for CSV to vCard conversion arises from the necessity to seamlessly transfer contact information between various platforms
and applications. While CSV files serve as a common format for storing tabular data, including contact details, vCard (VCF) files
offer standardized formatting specifically tailored for contact information, ensuring compatibility across different devices,
email clients, and contact management systems. Converting data from CSV to vCard format facilitates efficient synchronization
and transfer of contacts, enabling users to maintain consistency and accessibility across their digital ecosystem while taking
advantage of additional data fields and formatting options available in vCard files.

Difference between Manual and Automated Conversion:

Manual CSV to vCard conversion involves manually inputting data from a CSV (Comma Separated Values) file into a vCard format,
which can be time-consuming and prone to errors, especially with large datasets. However, it allows for more control over the
conversion process and customization of vCard fields. On the other hand, automated CSV to vCard conversion utilizes software or
tools to automate the conversion process, saving time and reducing the likelihood of errors. While automated conversion can be
faster and more efficient, it may not offer as much flexibility or accuracy as manual conversion, particularly when dealing with
complex data structures or specific formatting requirements. Ultimately, the choice between manual and automated conversion depends
on the specific needs of the user, weighing factors such as time, accuracy, and customization options.

1. Manual Method – CSV to VCF conversion:

1. Open CSV File: Start by opening the CSV file containing your contacts in a spreadsheet program like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets.
2. Organize Columns: Make sure your CSV file has columns for different contact details like name, phone number, email address, etc. If not, you may need to rearrange or add columns to match the vCard format.
3. Save as CSV: Save your spreadsheet as a CSV file if it’s not already in that format. Most spreadsheet programs have an option to save or export files as CSV.
4. Prepare for Import: Open a text editor like Notepad (on Windows) or TextEdit (on Mac). You’ll use this to create the VCF file.
5. Format VCF Header: In the text editor, start by typing BEGIN:VCARD on the first line and VERSION:3.0 on the second line. These lines indicate the beginning of a vCard file and specify the version of the vCard format.
6. Convert CSV Rows to VCF: For each contact in your CSV file, create a new block of text in the VCF format. Each block should start with BEGIN:VCARD and end with END:VCARD. Within each block, include the contact details in the appropriate vCard format. For example, for a contact’s name, you would use N:Lastname;Firstname;;;.
7. Save as VCF: Once you’ve added all your contacts in VCF format, save the file with a .vcf extension. Make sure to choose “All Files” as the file type when saving to avoid adding a .txt extension.
8. Import VCF: You can now import the VCF file into your preferred contact management software or device. The method for importing varies depending on the software or device, but it usually involves selecting the option to import contacts and choosing the VCF file you created.

2. Automated Method – CSV to VCF Conversion via ConversionTab.com:

Step 1: Go to the www.conversiontab.com

Open your browser and navigate to conversiontab.com.

Step 2: Choose CSV to vCard option

Under the CSV option, select the CSV to vCard category.

Step 3: Enter CSV text/ Upload CSV file

You have two options: enter text or upload a file (up to 25MB).

Step 4: Choose input Options

User can choose input options,after entering text or uploading file.

Limit# of lines

If user enters 5 in this field, it will only use first 5 rows from input file.

Skip# of lines

If user enters 5 in this field, it will skip first 5 rows from input file.

Field Separator

The default field separator in CSV files is typically a comma (`,`), although users have the option to customize it if the file contains a different separator.

Step 4: Choose Output Options

After entering text or uploading file, user can choose output options. Here are some customize settings, user can do in this option.

Mapping:

User can choose column name from drop-down provided in this column.

Include:

Checkboxes are given in this column; by-default are fields are checked but user can uncheck or check checkboxes to exclude or include the respective field.

Others:

For multi-valued fields, such as multiple email addresses, ConversionTab provides two methods:

Combine in a Single Column:Users can include multiple values in a single column, separating them using a specified separator (e.g., Email1, Email2, Email3).
Add Rows: Alternatively, users can click the ‘+’ button to add additional rows for each value. The ‘-‘ button allows users to remove incorrect mappings or unwanted rows.

Step 5: Click on “Convert” Button

Step 6: Enter File Name and Click “Download”

User can enter File Name if he wants to customize it. Otherwise, system will generate file name according to the chosen conversion as conversiontab_vcf.vcf.