VisiData is a terminal spreadsheet multitool for discovering and arranging tabular data.
VisiData solves the problem of exploring and transforming data without leaving the command line. It loads data from numerous formats including CSV, TSV, JSON, SQLite, Excel, and HDF5, presenting them in an interactive terminal interface where users can filter, sort, pivot, and manipulate rows and columns. The tool works by combining spreadsheet-like operations with Unix pipeline integration, allowing data to be piped directly into VisiData or its output piped to other commands.
VisiData suits data journalists, analysts, and developers who work frequently with tabular data and prefer terminal-based workflows. It is particularly valuable for exploratory data analysis and quick data wrangling tasks where opening a graphical application would be slower. The tool works on Linux, macOS, and Windows with WSL, and can be tried immediately without installation using pipx or uv. For users working with formats beyond the core set, optional Python packages can be installed to add support for Excel, XML, and other specialized formats.
The project maintains active engagement with its user community through GitHub issues and IRC chat. Documentation is comprehensive, including an API reference for plugin authors, an in-application quick reference accessible via keyboard shortcut, and external tutorials. The tool receives ongoing development with both stable and development branches available, allowing users to choose between tested releases or cutting-edge features.
