1. HOW TO CREATE A .CSV FILE

CSV is a simple file format used to store tabular data, such as a spreadsheet or database. Files in the CSV format can be imported to and exported from programs that store data in tables, such as Microsoft Excel, Google Docs Spreadseets or OpenOffice Calc.

CSV stands for "comma-separated values". Its data fields are most often separated, or delimited, by a semicolon (;). For example, let's say you had a spreadsheet containing the following data:

In the Spreadsheet / CSV, the third column of tags has to be separated by a comma (,) .

After completing our document with the necessary information (title of the file, title of the image and tags), we will proceed to save the file in CSV format. This format will separate the columns with a semicolon (;), and the tags with a comma (,).

The above data could be represented in a CSV-formatted file as follows:

"beautiful-sunset.jpg";"Beautiful sunset";"sunset,sun,summer,beach,mountain"
"abstract-background.jpg";"Abstract polygonal background";"abstract,polygonal,poly,polygon,polygons,low poly"
"business-card.jpg";"Business Card";"cards,business,employment,business cards"

A CSV is a text file, so it can be created and edited using any text editor. More frequently, however, a CSV file is created by exporting (File Menu -> Export) a spreadsheet or database in the program that created it. Click on a link below for the steps to create a CSV file in Notepad, Microsoft Excel, OpenOffice Calc, and Google Docs.

Here you can see some examples for exporting .csv files:

1. Microsoft Excel
2. Google Docs Spreadsheets
3. OpenOffice Calc

Important: After the exportation of the file, it could be a good idea reformat your .csv to the correct format. You can follow these simple steps here.

1.1 Create CSV with Microsoft Excel

To save in CSV format, go to Save as and Other Formats.

 Imagen 1: Create CSV with Microsoft Excel 

In Document Type choose CSV (MS-DOS), this step is very important as it will save the document respecting the columns and the rows separated by the punctuation marks.

 Imagen 2: Create CSV with Microsoft Excel  

A window will pop up informing you to save the document. Click Yes.

IMPORTANT: Once we have the csv file. We have to put it in the correct format, for it click here. 

1.2 Create CSV with Google Docs Spreadsheets

Complete the metadata information of your files in Google Spreadsheets:

 Imagen 3: Create CSV with Google Docs 

Once completed, export as .csv file:

 Imagen 4: Create CSV with Google Docs 

IMPORTANT: Once we have the csv file. We have to put it in the correct format, for it click here. 

1.3 Create CSV with OpenOffice Calc

Create the spreadsheet with your metadata and the three colums (filename, title, tags). Once created, click File, choose the Save As option, and for the Save as type option, select Text CSV (.csv) (*.csv).

IMPORTANT: Once we have the csv file. We have to put it in the correct format, for it click here. 

2. FORMAT CSV FILE: THE CORRECT WAY

To ensure your .csv file is well formed, follow the following steps:

We can also also convert your document to CSV by going to http://www.convertcsv.com/csv-to-csv.htm and following these steps:

 Imagen 5: Convert CSV to correct format 

2.1 Upload your .csv file

Select the file that you want to convert to CSV

 Imagen 6: Convert CSV to correct format

2.2 Choosing the input options

Configure the options for the CSV format. In Field Separator select the ";" option as marked in red below.

 Imagen 7: Convert CSV to correct format 

 2.3 Well formatting your .csv file

In the previous point, it is important that you select the 8^th and the 9^th options:

"Always overwrite template when generating standard CSV"

"Replace value of NULL in CSV with an empty value"

 Imagen 8: Convert CSV to correct format 

2.4 Download the new .csv file

Finally, check if the file has been converted to CSV by selecting Download Result.

 Imagen 9: Convert CSV to correct format 

After creating the csv with the correct format, upload it to the ftp server with an ftp client (filezilla for example).

3. UPLOAD CSV TO FTP SERVER

 Imagen 10: Example upload photos with CSV

 Imagen 11: Example upload vector with CSV