COMPARE · DATA, MAPS AND REFERENCES
CSV vs TSV for NotebookLM data tables
Short answer
CSV is the most widely accepted table format, used by Google Sheets, Airtable, Notion and databases. TSV separates columns with tabs instead of commas, which makes it safer when cells contain commas, as NotebookLM table text often does, and it opens cleanly in Excel. Both are free exports.
Side by side
| CSV (comma-separated) | TSV (tab-separated) | |
|---|---|---|
| Accepted by import tools | Almost all | Most spreadsheets |
| Cells with commas | Need quoting | No problem |
| Opens in Excel by double-click | Yes, with regional quirks | Yes |
| Paste into a spreadsheet | Needs import | Pastes into columns |
Which to choose
- Choose CSV (comma-separated) if the destination is a database, Airtable, Notion or a script.
- Choose TSV (tab-separated) if the destination is Excel, or cells contain long sentences.
Free or Pro?
Free, with no daily export quota and no website account needed. Pro covers the extension only; it does not include a Google subscription or raise NotebookLM's own limits. Current prices are on the pricing page.
Frequently asked questions
CSV (comma-separated) or TSV (tab-separated): which is better?
Neither in general. Choose CSV (comma-separated) if the destination is a database, Airtable, Notion or a script. Choose TSV (tab-separated) if the destination is Excel, or cells contain long sentences.
Is there a real .xlsx export for tables?
Data tables export as CSV and TSV, which Excel opens. Flashcards have a native XLSX export.
Related guides
How to export NotebookLM data tables to CSV. You get the table as comma-separated values that open in Excel, Google Sheets, Numbers and any data tool.
How to export NotebookLM data tables to Excel. You get a tab-separated file that opens directly in Excel with each cell in its own column.
Airtable imports CSV files. Export a NotebookLM data table to CSV with NotebookLM Ultra Exporter, which is free, and import it into a base; each row becomes.
Both carry a NotebookLM source list into a reference manager. BibTeX is the native format of LaTeX and Overleaf and is read by Zotero, JabRef and Paperpile.
Both export a NotebookLM mind map as an editable tree, and both are free. OPML is an outline format: best for outliners such as Workflowy and OmniOutliner.
PNG is a fixed-resolution picture that works everywhere, including slides, chats and documents.
Batch export saves several NotebookLM notes and reports as separate files in one go, zipped together.
NotebookLM flashcards can go to either for free. Anki is a spaced-repetition app that schedules each card for long-term memory and works offline.