Why format text lists
IDs, names, or codes copied from logs, chat, or an Excel column are often space- or newline-separated. Config files, CSV fragments, and SQL value lists need commas or semicolons plus quotes. Doing that by hand for dozens of items is error-prone.
ComTools Text Format (Tools/Excel/TextFormat) runs locally in the browser: split → change delimiter → wrap quotes—nothing is uploaded.
What you can configure
| Option | Details |
|---|---|
| Source delimiter | Newline, space, comma, period, custom |
| Output delimiter | Same choices; can differ from source |
| Wrap mode | Both sides / prefix only / suffix only / none |
| Wrap symbol | Single ', double ", or custom (e.g. backtick) |
Empty tokens are dropped; space delimiter splits on consecutive whitespace.
Example: spaces → quoted comma list
Input:
aa bb cc
Source = space, output = comma, wrap both with single quotes:
'aa','bb','cc'
Example: Excel column → CSV-style quotes
Input (one value per line):
Alice
Bob
Carol
Source = newline, output = comma, wrap both with double quotes:
"Alice","Bob","Carol"
Steps
- Open Text Format.
- Paste text on the left (or click Sample).
- Choose source and output delimiters.
- Choose wrap mode and symbol.
- Click Generate, then Copy.
Common scenarios
| Scenario | Settings |
|---|---|
| IDs as SQL string literals | Source newline, output comma, single quotes both sides |
Full IN (...) fragment |
Or use Text to SQL directly |
| Semicolon-separated config | Source comma, output custom ; |
| Suffix only | Wrap mode = suffix |
| Change delimiter only | Wrap mode = none |
vs Text to SQL
| Need | Tool |
|---|---|
| Any delimiter swap + custom wrap | Text Format |
Ready-made IN (N'...') |
Text to SQL |
Both handle GUID and order-ID lists locally; prefer Text to SQL for standard Unicode N' IN clauses.
Notes
- Embedded
'inside values is not auto-escaped to''—escape for SQL yourself, or use Excel to SQL. - For bare numbers without quotes, set wrap mode to none.
- Processing stays in the browser.
Related tools
FAQ
Split on Tab?
Use custom source delimiter and paste a Tab character.
One item per line?
Set output delimiter to newline.
Same as Excel Format?
No. Excel Format styles workbooks; this tool is for plain-text delimiters.