Viewing and Inspecting CSV Data

Introduction

CSV (Comma Separated Value) files are a widely used format for storing both spatial and non-spatial (tabular) data due to their simplicity and broad compatibility across software platforms. In FME, CSV data is easily interpreted as a table of rows and columns, making it ideal for inspection and preparation before building a workflow. In this tutorial, we’ll explore how to view CSV data using the Data Preview (formerly Visual Preview) feature in FME Workbench. Taking time to inspect your data upfront allows you to identify missing values, formatting issues, or misaligned records early on. This ensures you can confidently address any problems before transforming or analyzing the data. While the standard delimiter in a CSV is a comma, FME also supports alternative delimiters, provided they are used consistently as field separators and not within the values themselves. See the CSV documentation for more information. 
 

Step-by-step Instructions

Part 1: Inspecting Tabular Data

1. Start FME Workbench and Add CSV Data
Start FME Workbench, and click on New to open a blank workspace. 

First, we need to add a source dataset. Click on the Add Reader button. In the Add Reader dialog, enter the following:

• Format: CSV (Comma Separated Value)
• Dataset: Census2016.csv
  • Click on the ellipsis and browse to the downloaded dataset
• Parameters:
  • Feature Type Name(s): From File Name
  • Field Names Line: 5

Then click OK.

CSV datasets often begin with additional information prior to when the data actually starts. In the parameter Preview section, you can see that there is some metadata about where the dataset originated from before the field names begin on Line 5. Updating the Field Names Line parameter to 5 will update the preview and read the data in correctly. Next, change the Feature Type Name(s) to From File Name to show the file name on the canvas.

FME can autodetect what delimiter is used, but if the data isn’t being shown correctly in the Preview, the Delimiter Character can be manually set. 

2.  View Source Data
Click OK twice to finish adding the reader. A Census2016 reader feature type will appear on the canvas. To view the dataset, single-click on the reader feature type to open the mini menu, then click on View Source Data. 

The data will open in the Data Preview (formerly Visual Preview) window. 

In the CSV reader parameters, if the Feature Type Name(s) parameter was not changed to From File Names, the reader feature type would be CSV.

In Data Preview, information about each record can be seen in the Table View, with additional information in the Record Information (formerly Feature Information) window. 

Part 2: Inspecting Spatial Data

1. Start FME Workbench and Add CSV Data

As of FME 2025.2, the Coordinate System parameter is now configured within the Parameters dialog of each reader/writer format. For more information, including details about the change and affected transformers, please see Coordinate System Parameter Location Change.

• In a new workspace, click the Add Reader icon and add a reader with the following parameters:

    • Format: CSV (Comma Separated Value)

    • Dataset: /wayfinder-map-stands.csv

  

  Click the Parameters button to set the coordinate system:

    • Feature Type Name(s): From File Name(s)

  
  

    • Attribute Definition: Manual

  
  

    • Name: Longitude

    • Type: x_coordinate

  
  

    • Name: Latitude

    • Type: y_coordinate

  
  

    • Create Point Geometry from Attributes: Enabled

    • Coordinate System: LL84

  

  
  

  Click OK to add the reader to the workspace.

• In a new workspace, click the Add Reader icon and add a reader with the following parameters:

    • Format: CSV (Comma Separated Value)

    • Dataset: /wayfinder-map-stands.csv

    • Coordinate System: LL84

  

  
  

  In the Parameters dialog, confirm that the Longitude and Latitude attributes are set to x_coordinate and y_coordinate, respectively. If they are not, change the Attribute Definition to Manual, then manually set.

  

  
  

  Click OK to add the reader to the workspace.

If continuing from Part 1, the Field Names Line will need to be set back to 1 to correctly read this dataset.

2.  View Source Data
Click OK twice to finish adding the reader. A wayfinding-map-stands reader feature type will appear on the canvas. To view the dataset, single-click on the reader feature type to open the mini menu, then click on View Source Data. 

The data will open in the Data Preview (formerly Visual Preview) window. 

Since the Coordinate System was set in the reader, point features will appear in the Data Viewer. If the Coordinate System was not set when the reader was added, add and connect a CoordinateSystemSetter transformer. In the parameters, set the Coordinate System to LL84.

In Data Preview, information about each record can be seen in the Table View, with additional information in the Record Information (formerly Feature Information) window. Since this dataset also contains spatial data, the points can be seen in the Graphics View. 

For more information on viewing data in FME, see Data Inspection in FME.  

Data Attribution

The data used here originates from open data made available by the City of Vancouver, British Columbia. It contains information licensed under the Open Government License - Vancouver.