Turn a CSV into a SQLite database, right in your browser
The usual way to get a CSV into SQLite involves the sqlite3 CLI, a .import command, and getting column types right by hand — or a Python script with pandas. Synth skips all of it: upload a CSV and it's already a real SQLite database, running in your browser tab, in seconds.
The usual way vs. Synth
| Step | sqlite3 CLI / Python | Synth |
|---|---|---|
| Install anything | Install SQLite or Python + pandas | Nothing — browser only |
| Load the CSV | Write a .import command or a script | Click to upload |
| Fix column types | Usually manual | Handled automatically |
| Query it | SQL in a terminal | SQL, or plain English |
| Time | Several minutes, if it works first try | A few seconds |
How it works
- Upload a CSV — click to browse. No account required.
- Synth creates a table and loads every row into a real, in-browser SQLite database — the exact same engine the sqlite3 CLI uses, compiled to WebAssembly.
- Write SQL against it immediately, or ask the AI assistant in plain English.
Why this is a real SQLite database, not a simulation
Synth doesn't reimplement SQL or approximate SQLite's behavior — it runs the actual SQLite engine, compiled to WebAssembly, executing inside your browser tab. That means real joins, real window functions, real transactions, and the same SQL dialect you'd get from SQLite anywhere else. See the SQL cheat sheet for ready-to-run examples.
What happens to your file
The whole conversion runs client-side. Your CSV is parsed and loaded into the database entirely on your device — it's never uploaded to a server unless you explicitly sign in and choose to save your workspace to the cloud. See Privacy-first data analysis for the full picture.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert a CSV to a SQLite database?
Upload the CSV to Synth and it's loaded directly into a real SQLite database running in your browser tab — no sqlite3 CLI command, no Python script, and no install required.
Do I need to install SQLite to do this?
No. Synth runs SQLite compiled to WebAssembly directly in the browser, so there's nothing to install on your machine at all — it works the same on Windows, Mac, Linux, or Chromebook.
Can I export the SQLite database afterward?
You can export your query results as CSV directly from Synth. If you specifically need the underlying .sqlite/.db file for use elsewhere, that's not currently a supported export format.
Is my CSV data uploaded to a server when I do this?
No. The conversion happens entirely client-side. Your file never leaves your browser unless you explicitly sign in and choose to save it to the cloud.