Introduction to VisiData
VisiData is a powerful terminal interface designed for exploring and organizing tabular data. It supports multiple data formats, such as TSV, CSV, SQLite, JSON, Excel (XLSX), and HDF5, making it a versatile tool for data analysis. Whether you're dealing with simple spreadsheets or complex databases, VisiData provides an efficient way to manage your data directly from the command line.
Platform Requirements
VisiData runs smoothly on Linux, macOS, and Windows (using Windows Subsystem for Linux, WSL). To use VisiData, you will need Python 3.8 or newer. Some data formats may require additional Python modules, ensuring that you have the necessary tools for all types of data you plan to work with.
Installation
Installing VisiData is simple. To get the latest release from PyPi, you can run the following command:
pip3 install visidata
For those who want to try out the latest developments and features, the cutting-edge develop branch is also available:
pip3 install git+https://github.com/saulpw/visidata.git@develop
Detailed installation instructions for various platforms and package managers are available on visidata.org/install.
Usage
Using VisiData is straightforward and can be done through simple command-line operations:
-
On Linux and macOS, use:
$ vd <input> $ <command> | vd -
On Windows:
$ visidata <input> $ <command> | visidata
You can exit the application anytime by pressing Ctrl+Q. For more detailed command options, users should refer to the official documentation.
Documentation
VisiData provides comprehensive resources to help users get started and maximize the tool's potential:
- The VisiData documentation offers in-depth information on various features and functionalities.
- A Plugin Author's Guide and API Reference is available for those interested in extending VisiData's functionality.
- A handy Quick reference is accessible within the tool using
Ctrl+H, offering a fast track to essential commands and options. - To learn how to use VisiData effectively, visit the Intro to VisiData Tutorial by Jeremy Singer-Vine.
Help and Support
VisiData's community is active and welcoming. Users with questions, issues, or suggestions can either create an issue on GitHub or join the community chat at #visidata on irc.libera.chat.
For those who appreciate VisiData's capabilities and want to support its development, consider supporting Saul Pwanson on Patreon.
License and Credits
VisiData is released under the GPLv3 license, which covers the code in the stable branch, including its main application, loaders, and plugins. The project is the brainchild of Saul Pwanson, with Anja Kefala maintaining its documentation and packages. VisiData has benefitted from numerous contributions from the community, making it an exceptional data tool. Special thanks go to all contributors and users who have helped shape VisiData.