Q: Can psql2csv export to Excel format directly?

No, it only outputs CSV, but you can set encoding to latin1 for better Excel compatibility. For native Excel files, you'd need to convert the CSV separately or use other tools like pgAdmin's export features.

Q: psql2csv vs pg_dump for data export?

psql2csv is for exporting query results to CSV, ideal for reports or data analysis. pg_dump is for full database backups in PostgreSQL's custom or SQL format, not CSV. Use psql2csv for selective data, pg_dump for backups.

Q: How to set a custom delimiter in psql2csv?

Use the --delimiter option, e.g., '--delimiter=$'\t'' for tab-separated values. The README shows this in the example usage for tailoring output to specific needs like TSV formats.

Q: Does psql2csv work with MySQL databases?

No, it's designed specifically for PostgreSQL via psql. For MySQL, you'd need tools like mysql's SELECT INTO OUTFILE or third-party utilities, as psql2csv relies on PostgreSQL's COPY command and psql interface.

Q: What encoding should I use for psql2csv to open in Excel?

Set --encoding=latin1, as mentioned in the README, because Excel often handles latin1 encoding better for special characters. UTF8 is default, but latin1 can prevent display issues in older Excel versions.

Question 1

How to use psql2csv with parameterized queries?

Accepted Answer

Use psql's variable system with -v flag, like 'psql2csv -v MONTH=2019-02 < query.sql'. In your SQL, reference variables with :'VAR' for strings, as shown in the README's advanced usage for dynamic WHERE clauses.

Question 2

Can psql2csv export to Excel format directly?

Accepted Answer

No, it only outputs CSV, but you can set encoding to latin1 for better Excel compatibility. For native Excel files, you'd need to convert the CSV separately or use other tools like pgAdmin's export features.

Question 3

psql2csv vs pg_dump for data export?

Accepted Answer

psql2csv is for exporting query results to CSV, ideal for reports or data analysis. pg_dump is for full database backups in PostgreSQL's custom or SQL format, not CSV. Use psql2csv for selective data, pg_dump for backups.

Question 4

How to set a custom delimiter in psql2csv?

Accepted Answer

Use the --delimiter option, e.g., '--delimiter=$'	'' for tab-separated values. The README shows this in the example usage for tailoring output to specific needs like TSV formats.

Question 5

Does psql2csv work with MySQL databases?

Accepted Answer

No, it's designed specifically for PostgreSQL via psql. For MySQL, you'd need tools like mysql's SELECT INTO OUTFILE or third-party utilities, as psql2csv relies on PostgreSQL's COPY command and psql interface.

Question 6

What encoding should I use for psql2csv to open in Excel?

Accepted Answer

Set --encoding=latin1, as mentioned in the README, because Excel often handles latin1 encoding better for special characters. UTF8 is default, but latin1 can prevent display issues in older Excel versions.

psql2csv

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