LIST PARSING GUIDE · 6 MIN READ

How to split comma-separated text into one item per line

Inline lists are easier to sort and deduplicate after each item is placed on its own line. Literal splitting works well for a known separator, but quoted CSV requires a parser that understands fields.

Inspect the delimiter

Confirm whether the source uses commas, semicolons, pipes or a multi-character token. Copy the exact delimiter when surrounding spaces are part of the pattern, and review mixed-delimiter sources before processing.

Distinguish a list from CSV

The text 'red, green, blue' is a simple list. The CSV row 'Smith, Ada', with quotes around the name, contains a comma inside one value. A literal split will break that field incorrectly.

Use line tools after splitting

Once each value is on a separate line, remove duplicates, sort only if order is unimportant and compare the result with the original count. Joining later should use the destination's required separator.

Worked example

Splitting 'draft | review | publish' on the pipe produces three trimmed lines. Splitting an empty field produces no item in the focused tool.

Limitations to review

• The delimiter is matched literally.
• Empty items are removed.
• Quoted CSV and escaped separators need a structured parser.