(PHP Extension) CSV Special Chars - Comma, Double-Quotes

The Chilkat CSV class/component automatically handles special characters which include double-quotes, and the delimiter character (comma or semicolon).

The Chilkat CSV library/component/class is freeware. The downloads for .NET, C++, Perl, Java, Ruby, and Python contain all of the Chilkat classes, some of which are freeware and some of which require licensing.

Chilkat PHP Downloads PHP Extension for Windows, Linux, MacOS, Alpine Linux, Solaris

<?php

// The version number (9_5_0) should match version of the Chilkat extension used, omitting the micro-version number.
// For example, if using Chilkat v9.5.0.48, then include as shown here:
include("chilkat_9_5_0.php");

// This example program loads a file (sample.csv)
// that contains this content:
// 
// year,color,country,food
// 2001,red,France,cheese
// 2005,blue,"United States",hamburger
// 2008,green,Italy,pasta
// 1998,orange,Japan,sushi
// 
// The first row contains the column names.
// This file is available at:
// http://www.chilkatsoft.com/testData/sample.csv

$csv = new CkCsv();

// Prior to loading the CSV file, indicate that the 1st row
// should be treated as column names:
$csv->put_HasColumnNames(true);

// Load the CSV records from the file:

$success = $csv->LoadFile('sample.csv');
if ($success != true) {
    print $csv->lastErrorText() . "\n";
    exit;
}

// A field may contain the delimiter character (in this case
// the delimiter is a comma):
// Change "cheese" to "cheese,baguette"
// ("cheese" is at row=0, column=3
$success = $csv->SetCell(0,3,'cheese,baguette');

// A field may also contain double-quotes:
// Change blue to shiny "metallic" blue
$success = $csv->SetCell(1,1,'shiny \'metallic\' blue');

// Write the updated CSV to a string and display:

$csvDoc = $csv->saveToString();
print $csvDoc . "\n";

// Save the CSV to a file:
$success = $csv->SaveFile('out.csv');
if ($success != true) {
    print $csv->lastErrorText() . "\n";
}

// The out.csv contains this:
// year,color,country,food
// 2001,red,France,"cheese,baguette"
// 2005,"shiny ""metallic"" blue","United States",hamburger
// 2008,green,Italy,pasta
// 1998,orange,Japan,sush

?>