Create CSV file with text/csv MIME type

Question

Created Jul ’22

Replies 4

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I'm attempting to create a CSV file, but unfortunately, the file has a MIME type of text/plain. How can I change the MIME type to text/csv?

The MIME type of the result file is text/plain regardless of the extension that I give the file.

I've searched high and low for a solution, but haven't found one yet.

Any help is much appreciated. Thank you!

Answered by endecotp in 721262022

The file command inspects the content of the file to determine the type.

I don't know exactly what it looks for to identify a CSV file, but could it be that something like line-break characters are causing the difference? CSV (as defined by RFC4180) is supposed to use CRLF line breaks. I could imagine that whatever you have used to modify it has leniently accepted e.g. LF line breaks and saved it with the required CRLF. (Less likely with a "text editor" (be specific!!) and more likely with a spreadsheet.)

If you post the output of e.g. od -a | head for both files, maybe someone will spot the important difference.

Be aware that what the file command things may not be very important in general on MacOS; what Splotlight thinks makes more difference to e.g. Finder.

P.S. I suggest not posting comments on this forum - post replies. Comments don't seem to trigger emails to people who are watching the thread.

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Answer 1

endecotp OP

Jul ’22

Mac or iOS? Where are you observing the MIME type?

0

Answer 2

DTS Engineer OP

Apple

Jul ’22

Like endecotp, I’m curious how you are observing the MIME type. You wrote:

If I open and re-save the file using a text editor, the MIME type changes.

What UI is displaying the MIME type? Or is this an API you’re calling to get the MIME type?

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Answer 3

endecotp OP

Jul ’22

Accepted Answer

The file command inspects the content of the file to determine the type.

I don't know exactly what it looks for to identify a CSV file, but could it be that something like line-break characters are causing the difference? CSV (as defined by RFC4180) is supposed to use CRLF line breaks. I could imagine that whatever you have used to modify it has leniently accepted e.g. LF line breaks and saved it with the required CRLF. (Less likely with a "text editor" (be specific!!) and more likely with a spreadsheet.)

If you post the output of e.g. od -a | head for both files, maybe someone will spot the important difference.

Be aware that what the file command things may not be very important in general on MacOS; what Splotlight thinks makes more difference to e.g. Finder.

P.S. I suggest not posting comments on this forum - post replies. Comments don't seem to trigger emails to people who are watching the thread.

2

Answer 4

erichbuelow OP

Jul ’22

After using the od -a command, I noticed that the line-break characters are different between the bad and good CSV. I changed the line-breaks from \n to \r\n. The file command shows the MIME type as text/csv now! Thank you @endecotp!

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