csv-parser

Overview

The csv-parser node converts between CSV text and JavaScript arrays/objects. Parse CSV files and data streams into structured objects using header rows, or stringify arrays back to CSV format. Supports configurable delimiters, header row detection, and row skipping.

Properties

Parse Output Modes

Input:  "name,temp,humidity\nA,23.5,65"
Output: [{ name:"A", temp:"23.5", humidity:"65" }]

Input:  "A,23.5,65\nB,24.1,62"
Output: [["A","23.5","65"],["B","24.1","62"]]

Example: Parse Sensor Data Log

Parse a CSV file containing sensor readings into structured objects.

// csv-parser node configuration
{
  "action": "parse",
  "delimiter": ",",
  "hasHeader": true,
  "skipRows": 0
}

// Input CSV in msg.payload.data:
// "timestamp,sensor,temperature,humidity
// 2024-01-15T10:00:00,DHT22,23.5,65
// 2024-01-15T10:05:00,DHT22,23.7,64
// 2024-01-15T10:10:00,DHT22,23.6,65"

// Output:
{
  "payload": {
    "data": [
      { "timestamp": "2024-01-15T10:00:00", "sensor": "DHT22",
        "temperature": "23.5", "humidity": "65" },
      { "timestamp": "2024-01-15T10:05:00", "sensor": "DHT22",
        "temperature": "23.7", "humidity": "64" },
      { "timestamp": "2024-01-15T10:10:00", "sensor": "DHT22",
        "temperature": "23.6", "humidity": "65" }
    ]
  }
}

// Flow: [file-read log.csv] → [csv-parser] → [split] → [dashboard]

Example: Tab-Separated Values

Parse a TSV file using tab as the delimiter character.

// csv-parser node configuration
{
  "action": "parse",
  "delimiter": "\t",
  "hasHeader": true
}

// Input TSV data (tab-separated):
// "id\tname\tvalue
// 1\tTemperature\t23.5
// 2\tHumidity\t65.0"

// Output:
{
  "payload": {
    "data": [
      { "id": "1", "name": "Temperature", "value": "23.5" },
      { "id": "2", "name": "Humidity", "value": "65.0" }
    ]
  }
}

Example: Export Data to CSV

Convert an array of objects into CSV format for file export or download.

// csv-parser node configuration
{
  "action": "stringify",
  "delimiter": ","
}

// Input array in msg.payload.data:
{
  "payload": {
    "data": [
      { "device": "sensor-01", "temp": 23.5 },
      { "device": "sensor-02", "temp": 24.1 }
    ]
  }
}

// Output CSV string in msg.payload.data:
// "sensor-01,23.5
// sensor-02,24.1"

// Flow: [collect data] → [csv-parser stringify] → [file-write report.csv]

Common Use Cases