Parse CSV in Make without shifting quoted columns

Splitting CSV at every comma can put values in the wrong columns. This Make Free exercise uses CSV > Parse CSV to keep a quoted item name, an empty note and literal quotation marks in their intended fields.

1. Paste a small CSV sample

1. In Scenarios, click Create scenario. Name it Quoted CSV practice at the top left.
2. Click the large plus. Search for CSV and choose its built-in Parse CSV module.
3. Set CSV contains headers to Yes. Enter item,quantity,note in CSV headers (recommended).
4. Keep Delimiter as Other and set Delimiter character to a comma.
5. Paste the sample below into CSV.

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Full Make editor showing CSV headers, comma delimiter and a quoted two-row CSV sample

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The first line names three columns. The first data row ends with an empty note. The second uses doubled quotation marks inside its quoted note.

2. Run and inspect both rows

1. Save the module, then the scenario. If the warning only says the output is unused, choose Save anyway.
2. Click Run once. Choose Run anyway for that same warning.
3. Open the execution result bubble above CSV. Under Output, inspect both bundles, one record for each data row.

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Full Make editor showing two parsed CSV bundles with an intact quoted comma and empty note

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Bundle 1 should contain item: Notebook, pocket, quantity: 2 and a blank note. Bundle 2 should contain item: Pencil, quantity: 1 and note: Said "hello". The header is not a third data row.

If values land in the wrong columns

Open the CSV as plain text and check its delimiter. A semicolon-delimited export needs a semicolon setting. Check the number and order of headers against the actual columns. This example pastes CSV text; an Excel workbook is a different format. Export a CSV copy before trying these steps.

If Make reports “Number of columns on line 2 does not match header”, compare that record with the header. In this sample, each record needs three fields: item, quantity and note.

For a blank final note, keep the comma after 2 at the end of the row. Removing it leaves only two fields and triggers this error. Keep the surrounding quotes on Notebook, pocket too. Without those quotes, its comma splits the item into two fields and the row has four fields.

Restore the three-line sample above, save the module and scenario, then use Run once. Check both Output bundles again before connecting another action. When correcting a real export, confirm the intended fields with its source. Adding empty cells or removing quotes indiscriminately can change the record.

Use Make when this step belongs in a workflow you repeat. For a one-off task, a spreadsheet or text editor may be simpler. Start with Make Free (opens in a new tab), and check the Free-plan limits before adding scheduled actions.

Sources: Make CSV modules (opens in a new tab); RFC 4180 CSV format (opens in a new tab). Screenshots show Make with fictional practice data.