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Python script to read csv file and split onto new lines


Sam Allen has posted a good walk through here, which explains how to use Python to read a comma separated list in a text file.

Starting with a text file like this one:

. . . the file can be opened in Python and then analyzed. First the open command is used to open the file:

>>> f = open(r"C:\FooFolder\python\animals.txt", "r")

Sam's script contains a small error. The r is omitted before the file path. At least in version 3.4.2 of Python this must be included to access the file.

readlines is used to read each line in the file:

>>> for line in f.readlines():

strip is used to take out whitespace: line = line.strip()

print displays the line: print(line)

split up each line: parts = line.split(",")

display each line indented: for part in parts: print(" ", part)

The end result is:

tigers,giraffes,lions,zebra,elephants,dogs,cats,gazelles tigers giraffes lions zebra elephants dogs cats gazelles >>>

The complete script looks like this in Python IDLE


Sean O'Shea has more than 20 years of experience in the litigation support field with major law firms in New York and San Francisco.   He is an ACEDS Certified eDiscovery Specialist and a Relativity Certified Administrator.

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The views expressed in this blog are those of the owner and do not reflect the views or opinions of the owner’s employer.

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