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Select and Keep Specific Columns in CSV

Choose exactly which columns to keep and drop the rest. Simpler than reordering when you just need to cut columns.

Pro feature

Upgrade to Pro to use the Select Columns tool and process files up to 50 MB.

See Pro plans

What this tool does

When you receive a CSV with 40 columns but only need 8, Select Columns lets you tick exactly what to keep and discard everything else. Unlike the Reorder Columns tool, this one is focused purely on inclusion/exclusion — no dragging, just checkboxes. The output preserves your original column order for the selected columns.

Problems it solves

  • CRM exports with dozens of internal fields you don't need
  • Analytics exports where only a few metrics are relevant
  • Reducing file size before sharing with external teams
  • Removing sensitive columns (SSN, salary) before distributing
  • Preparing a CSV for import that accepts only specific fields

Example

6-column file reduced to 2 columns by selecting only Name and Email.

Before

IDNameEmailPhoneAddressNotes
1Alicealice@ex.com555-0100123 Main StVIP

After

NameEmail
Alicealice@ex.com

Frequently asked questions

Does this change the order of the kept columns?

No. Columns appear in their original order from the source file, not the order you clicked them.

What's the difference between this and Reorder Columns?

Select Columns is optimized for removing columns you don't want — just check what to keep. Reorder Columns lets you rearrange the order of columns. If you need both, use Select Columns first, then Reorder Columns.

Is this a Pro feature?

Yes. Column selection is available on Pro and Business plans.

Related tools

Reorder Columns

Pro

Choose which columns to keep and in what order. Drop unwanted fields and reorder the rest before your import.

Open tool

Rename Columns

Pro

Rename any column header in your CSV or XLSX file. Map old names to new ones before importing to another system.

Open tool

Remove Empty Columns

Delete columns with no data from your CSV or spreadsheet. Simplify your schema automatically.

Open tool