fputcsv to format a line of data from array or table to write into a csv file

Write CSV rows with fputcsv()

fputcsv() formats an array as a CSV record and writes it to an open stream. In PHP 8.4+, provide the escape argument explicitly rather than relying on its deprecated default.

$fp = fopen('data.csv', 'w');
$row = ['id', 'name', 'score'];
fputcsv($fp, $row, ',', '"', '');
fclose($fp);

We can prepare data to store in a comma separated value ( CSV ) file by using fputcsv() function. Here is the syntax

fputcsv($stream, $fields, ',', '"', '')

The separator, enclosure, escape and end-of-line controls are optional, but in PHP 8.4+ the escape argument should be supplied explicitly.

filepointer: previously opened file pointer
array(fields) : The data array
delimiter : by default it is comma ( , ) , you can change to a new one
enclosure : One character can be used to enclose data

From array to CSV file

We will use one multidimensional array and then use the same data to store in a csv file by using fputcsv function.

<?php
$a= array(array("path"=>"php_tutorial","section"=>"php"),
array("path"=>"sql_tutorial","section"=>"sql"),	
array("path"=>"javascript_tutorial","section"=>"js"),
array("path"=>"html_tutorial","section"=>"html"),
); 

$f_pointer=fopen("website.csv","w"); // file pointer

foreach ($a as $fields) {
    fputcsv($f_pointer, $fields, ',', '"', '');
}
fclose($f_pointer);
?>

From database to CSV file

Let us read the records of our student table ( download the sql_dump of student table here ) and create a csv file using the data.

<?php
require "config.php"; // database connection
$fp = fopen('student.csv', 'w');

$query = $dbo->prepare("select *  FROM student");
$query->execute();

for($i=0; $row = $query->fetch(PDO::FETCH_NUM); $i++){
fputcsv($fp, $row, ',', '"', '');
}

fclose($fp);  // Closing file pointer
?>

Records from database to CSV download

We will modify file header and post the csv file to the browser so user can download it and save in the local computer.
Here is the code with modified header to force file download in user computer .

<?Php
require "config.php"; // Database Connetion 
$sql= "SELECT * from student "; 

if(strlen($sql) <6){echo "No Query ";
exit;
}

$filename='student.csv';
header( 'Content-Type: text/csv' );
header( 'Content-Disposition: attachment;filename='.$filename);
$fp = fopen('php://output', 'w');

$STH = $dbo->prepare($sql);
$STH->execute();

$first_row = $STH->fetch(PDO::FETCH_ASSOC);
$headers = array_keys($first_row);
$headers = array_map('ucfirst', $headers); // optional, capitalize first letter of headers
fputcsv($fp, $headers, ',', '"', ''); // put the headers
fputcsv($fp, array_values($first_row), ',', '"', ''); // put the first row

while ($row = $STH->fetch(PDO::FETCH_NUM))  {
 fputcsv($fp, $row, ',', '"', ''); // push the rest
}
fclose($fp);
?>

In above code config.php file stores the database connection and login details.

Using MySQLI database connectin

<?Php
require "config-mysqli.php"; // Database Connetion 

$sql= "SELECT * FROM  student ";  // Query 

$filename='student.csv';  // file name 
header( 'Content-Type: text/csv' );
header( 'Content-Disposition: attachment;filename='.$filename);
$fp = fopen('php://output', 'w');

if($stmt = $connection->query("$sql")){
$no_of_columns=$stmt->field_count;
$row = mysqli_fetch_assoc($stmt);
fputcsv($fp, array_keys($row), ',', '"', ''); // put headers 
fputcsv($fp, array_values($row), ',', '"', ''); // put the first row
while ($row = $stmt->fetch_array(MYSQLI_NUM)) {
fputcsv($fp, $row, ',', '"', '');
}
fclose($fp);
}else{
echo $connection->error;
}
?>

Storing visitor data in a CSV file.

We can store visitors data like ip address, referrer, browser details and time of visit in a csv file.

Read how the visitors details are stored in a CSV file by using fputcsv function

Note the way we are opening the file. When we are storing the visitor details we have to add one line each time a new visitor details are to be stored. When we are storing the student records we are opening the file and storing all data in one go and then closing it.

student.csv

String Functions fgetcsv(): to read data from a csv file

Subhendu Mohapatra

Author & Instructor at plus2net

I write and maintain practical tutorials on Python, PHP, SQL, JavaScript, HTML, jQuery, and web development at plus2net. The tutorials focus on clear explanations, working examples, and code that readers can test and adapt while learning.

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