VCF to TSV Converter
Convert your VCF (vCard) contact files to Tab-Separated Values (TSV) format for database import and data analysis.
How to Export VCF Files from Different Platforms
🍎iPhone/iPad Contacts
- 1. Open Contacts app
- 2. Select contact(s) to export
- 3. Tap Share Contact
- 4. Choose Mail or AirDrop
- 5. The .vcf file will be attached
📱Android Contacts
- 1. Open Contacts app
- 2. Tap Menu (three lines)
- 3. Select Settings → Export
- 4. Choose Export to .vcf file
- 5. Save to device storage
🌐Google Contacts
- 1. Go to contacts.google.com
- 2. Select contacts to export
- 3. Click Export button
- 4. Choose vCard (.vcf)
- 5. Download the exported file
📧Outlook/Hotmail
- 1. Open Outlook.com
- 2. Go to People section
- 3. Click Manage → Export
- 4. Select vCard (.vcf)
- 5. Download the export file
🖥️macOS Contacts
- 1. Open Contacts app
- 2. Select contacts to export
- 3. Click File → Export
- 4. Choose Export as vCard
- 5. Save the .vcf file
🗂️Windows Contacts
- 1. Open People app
- 2. Select contacts to export
- 3. Click Settings → Export
- 4. Choose vCard format
- 5. Save to computer
Understanding TSV Output Format
The converted TSV file organizes your contact data into columns separated by tab characters, making it ideal for data analysis and import into databases:
TSV Structure
- •Header row: Contains column names for each field
- •Tab delimited: Fields separated by tab characters (\\t)
- •UTF-8 encoding: Preserves international characters
- •Multiple values: Extra columns for multiple emails/phones
Generated Columns
- Name, First Name, Last NameIdentity
- Email 1, Email 2, ...Contact
- Phone 1, Phone 2, ...Phone
- Organization, TitleWork
- Website, Notes, BirthdayOther
✅ TSV Example
Name Email Phone
John Doe john@email.com 555-0123
Jane Smith jane@email.com 555-0456
💡 Uses for TSV
- • Import into databases
- • Data analysis in Excel
- • Programming applications
- • CRM system imports
🔧 Processing Tips
- • Open in Excel for editing
- • Use for mail merge
- • Import into Google Sheets
- • Process with scripts
VCF to TSV Field Mapping
Our converter extracts information from VCF fields and organizes them into TSV columns. Here's how VCF fields are mapped:
Name & Identity
Contact Information
Work & Personal
How to Convert VCF to TSV
Upload VCF File
Select your VCF file containing contact data
Preview Contacts
Review the contacts that will be converted
Download TSV
Get your converted TSV file ready for import
When to Use VCF to TSV Conversion
Database Import
Import VCF contacts into databases, CRM systems, or enterprise applications that accept tab-delimited data files.
Data Analysis
Analyze contact data in Excel, Google Sheets, or statistical software by converting VCF to structured TSV format.
Automation & Scripts
Process contact data with scripts or automation tools that work better with TSV than VCF format.
Email Marketing
Convert VCF contacts to TSV for import into email marketing platforms and mailing list management tools.
System Migration
Migrate contacts from VCF-based systems to platforms that require TSV or tab-delimited import formats.
Reporting & Analytics
Convert contact data to TSV for business intelligence tools, reporting systems, and data visualization platforms.
Applications that Work with TSV Files
Microsoft Excel
Open TSV files directly for editing and analysis
Google Sheets
Import TSV files for collaborative spreadsheet work
MySQL/PostgreSQL
Import contact data directly into database tables
Mailchimp
Import subscriber lists from TSV files
LibreOffice Calc
Open and edit TSV files in free spreadsheet software
Python/R Scripts
Process contact data with data science tools
CRM Systems
Import customer data into Salesforce, HubSpot
Text Editors
View and edit raw TSV data in any text editor
Troubleshooting VCF Conversion Issues
❌ VCF File Not Loading
If your VCF file won't load:
- • Check file format: Ensure it's a .vcf or .vcard file
- • File encoding: Try re-saving as UTF-8 if it contains special characters
- • File corruption: Open in text editor to verify VCF structure
- • File size: Very large VCF files may take time to process
⚠️ Missing Contact Data
If some contact information is missing:
- • VCF version: Some older VCF versions have limited fields
- • Custom fields: Non-standard VCF fields may not be recognized
- • Empty contacts: Contacts without names or essential data are filtered out
- • Encoding issues: Special characters might be lost in conversion
🔧 TSV Output Issues
For better TSV output:
- • Excel compatibility: Open TSV files using File → Open in Excel
- • Tab characters: TSV uses tabs, not spaces, to separate fields
- • Multiple values: Multiple emails/phones create additional columns
- • UTF-8 support: Ensure your application supports UTF-8 encoding
✅ Best Practices
For optimal results:
- • Preview first: Review the contact preview before downloading
- • Backup originals: Keep copies of your original VCF files
- • Test import: Try importing a small sample first
- • Check encoding: Verify special characters display correctly
Frequently Asked Questions
What VCF versions are supported?
We support all major VCF versions including vCard 2.1, 3.0, and 4.0. The converter automatically detects the version and extracts all available contact information.
How are multiple contacts handled?
VCF files containing multiple contacts are processed individually, with each contact becoming a separate row in the TSV output. The converter handles both single and bulk VCF exports.
Can I convert large VCF files?
Yes! The converter can process VCF files with hundreds or thousands of contacts. All processing happens in your browser, so larger files may take a few moments to complete.
What happens to contact photos?
Contact photos and other binary data are not included in the TSV output, as TSV format is designed for text data. Only text-based contact information is converted.
Is my data secure during conversion?
Absolutely! All conversion happens directly in your browser using JavaScript. Your VCF files never leave your device, ensuring complete privacy and security.
How do I open the TSV file?
TSV files can be opened in Excel, Google Sheets, LibreOffice Calc, or any text editor. In Excel, use File → Open and select the TSV file for best formatting.