📊 PHP Handle CSV File – Read and Write CSV Data in PHP Easily

Learn how to read, write, and process CSV files in PHP using built-in functions like fgetcsv() and fputcsv() for structured data handling.

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🧲 Introduction – Why Work with CSV Files in PHP?

CSV (Comma-Separated Values) files are a widely used format for data export/import, especially between databases, spreadsheets, and applications. PHP provides native functions to easily read and write CSV files, making it ideal for building reporting tools, import wizards, or database migration utilities.

🎯 In this guide, you’ll learn:

• How to read CSV files row-by-row using fgetcsv()
• How to write CSV data with fputcsv()
• How to handle special characters and delimiters
• Real-world use cases and best practices

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📖 1. Reading a CSV File with fgetcsv()

$handle = fopen("data.csv", "r");

while (($row = fgetcsv($handle)) !== false) {
    print_r($row);
}

fclose($handle);

➡️ fgetcsv() reads one row at a time and returns it as an array.
➡️ Automatically parses CSV fields using commas as default delimiters.

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📋 2. CSV File Format Example

data.csv

Name,Email,Age
Alice,alice@example.com,25
Bob,bob@example.com,30

🔄 Output from fgetcsv():

Array ( [0] => Name [1] => Email [2] => Age )
Array ( [0] => Alice [1] => alice@example.com [2] => 25 )
Array ( [0] => Bob [1] => bob@example.com [2] => 30 )

📘 Each line is returned as an indexed array.

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✍️ 3. Writing to a CSV File with fputcsv()

$data = [
    ["Name", "Email", "Age"],
    ["Alice", "alice@example.com", 25],
    ["Bob", "bob@example.com", 30]
];

$handle = fopen("output.csv", "w");

foreach ($data as $row) {
    fputcsv($handle, $row);
}

fclose($handle);

➡️ fputcsv() writes an array as a single CSV row.
➡️ Automatically adds commas and wraps fields if needed.

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📐 4. Custom Delimiters and Enclosures

fputcsv($handle, $row, ";", '"');

➡️ Customize field separator (;) and enclosure (") for compatibility.
➡️ Useful when working with regional or third-party formats.

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📁 5. Appending to a CSV File

$handle = fopen("log.csv", "a");
fputcsv($handle, ["Dave", "dave@example.com", 28]);
fclose($handle);

➡️ Open file with "a" mode to append new rows.
➡️ Preserves existing CSV data.

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🔄 6. Reading CSV into Associative Arrays

$handle = fopen("data.csv", "r");
$headers = fgetcsv($handle);

while (($row = fgetcsv($handle)) !== false) {
    $assoc[] = array_combine($headers, $row);
}

fclose($handle);
print_r($assoc);

➡️ Combine headers with values to create associative arrays.
➡️ Easier to access values using column names like $row["Email"].

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🧠 Best Practices

• ✅ Always use fclose() to release file resources
• ✅ Validate CSV format and encoding before processing
• ✅ Use array_combine() for structured associative output
• ✅ Escape special characters when outputting to avoid CSV corruption
• ❌ Avoid loading large CSV files into memory — use line-by-line reading

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📌 Summary – Recap & Next Steps

Handling CSV files in PHP is simple and efficient using fgetcsv() and fputcsv(). It’s a reliable solution for data import/export, reporting, and integration with Excel or spreadsheet tools.

🔍 Key Takeaways:

• Use fgetcsv() to read CSV rows line-by-line
• Use fputcsv() to write arrays into structured CSV files
• Support custom delimiters and field enclosures
• Prefer associative arrays for better readability

⚙️ Real-World Use Cases:
Data exports, CRM imports, order records, logs, user reports, analytics, spreadsheet tools.

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

❓ How to skip the header row in a CSV file?
✅ Use fgetcsv() once before entering the loop to skip headers.

❓ How to change the delimiter in a CSV file?
✅ Pass a custom delimiter to fgetcsv() or fputcsv() like: fgetcsv($handle, 0, ";").

❓ Can I read a CSV file into an associative array?
✅ Yes, use array_combine() with the first row as headers.

❓ Does fputcsv() overwrite the file?
✅ Yes, in "w" mode. Use "a" mode to append.

❓ Is CSV file handling available by default in PHP?
✅ Yes, no external libraries needed.

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