How to strip special characters from a csv before mysql import
- Step 1Prepare the CSV for import — Export or generate the CSV you intend to load into MySQL.
- Step 2Drop into Special Char Stripper — Select all text columns — or all columns for a thorough clean.
- Step 3Run the strip — Control characters and null bytes are removed.
- Step 4Run LOAD DATA INFILE — Import the cleaned CSV into MySQL.
Frequently asked questions
What causes null bytes in a CSV?+
Common sources: binary data copied into a text column, exports from older systems using null-terminated strings, and some XML-to-CSV converters.
Will this affect standard punctuation like commas and quotes?+
No. Standard printable ASCII characters including commas, quotes, and brackets are preserved.
Does this work for PostgreSQL COPY imports too?+
Yes. PostgreSQL COPY also fails on null bytes and control characters.
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