unicodecsv
Python2's stdlib csv module is nice, but it doesn't support unicode. This module is a drop-in replacement which *does*.
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
No for new projects. Python 3's csv module handles Unicode natively. The package is dormant (last release 2015-09-22) with no security vulnerabilities, but installing it on modern Python versions is unlikely to work or be necessary. If you must support Python 2.7 legacy code, it is a reasonable choice given its permissive BSD License and zero dependencies.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Designed for Python 2.6, 2.7, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, and PyPy 2.4.0.
- Requires bytestream input (open in 'rb' mode), not text mode.
- High install friction due to age and Python 2 focus.
License · maintenance · safety
BSD License (permissive) — BSD License (permissive) places no restrictions on use, modification, or distribution in proprietary or open-source projects.
last release 2015-09-22 (3979 days) · last repo commit 2025-02-18 · 596 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 6,289,635 downloads/mo, #1,938 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
import unicodecsv as csv
from io import BytesIO
f = BytesIO()
w = csv.writer(f, encoding='utf-8')
w.writerow((u'é', u'ñ'))
f.seek(0)
r = csv.reader(f, encoding='utf-8')
row = next(r) # [u'é', u'ñ']- Whether this package is still necessary given Python 3's native Unicode CSV support
- Current compatibility with Python versions beyond 3.5, if any
- Whether the package works reliably on modern Python 3 interpreters despite dormant maintenance
What it is and what it does
unicodecsv solves a specific problem in Python 2.7: the standard csv module cannot handle Unicode strings without manual encoding workarounds. This package wraps the csv module to accept Unicode input and output transparently, accepting bytestreams (via plain `open(..., 'rb')`) and handling the encoding internally.
The package is designed for Python 2.6, 2.7, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, and PyPy 2.4.0. It has no runtime dependencies and installs cleanly. However, it is unmaintained since 2015-09-22 and explicitly targets Python 2. Modern Python 3 handles Unicode CSV natively, making this package potentially obsolete for new projects.
Use it for
- Maintain legacy Python 2.7 codebases that process CSV files with non-ASCII characters
- Migrate Python 2 CSV code to a compatible layer before upgrading to Python 3
- Work with CSV data containing accented characters or non-Latin scripts in Python 2 environments
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
No for new projects.
Python 3's csv module handles Unicode natively. The package is dormant (last release 2015-09-22) with no security vulnerabilities, but installing it on modern Python versions is unlikely to work or be necessary. If you must support Python 2.7 legacy code, it is a reasonable choice given its permissive BSD License and zero dependencies.
Install
unicodecsv on PyPI
Before you install
High install friction due to age and Python 2 focus. Last release was 2015-09-22; maintenance is dormant. No runtime dependencies ease installation.
Designed for Python 2.6, 2.7, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, and PyPy 2.4.0. Requires bytestream input (open in 'rb' mode), not text mode.
License in practice
BSD License (permissive) places no restrictions on use, modification, or distribution in proprietary or open-source projects.
Quickstart
import unicodecsv as csv
from io import BytesIO
f = BytesIO()
w = csv.writer(f, encoding='utf-8')
w.writerow((u'é', u'ñ'))
f.seek(0)
r = csv.reader(f, encoding='utf-8')
row = next(r) # [u'é', u'ñ']Verify before relying
- Whether this package is still necessary given Python 3's native Unicode CSV support
- Current compatibility with Python versions beyond 3.5, if any
- Whether the package works reliably on modern Python 3 interpreters despite dormant maintenance
Package facts
| License | BSD License permissive |
| Python support | Not specified |
| Install friction | High. Source build required |
| Runtime dependencies | None |
| Maintenance | Dormant 3,979 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 6,289,635 / month, #1,938 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 5 - Production/StableIntended Audience :: DevelopersLicense :: OSI Approved :: BSD LicenseNatural Language :: EnglishProgramming Language :: Python :: 2.6Programming Language :: Python :: 2.7Programming Language :: Python :: 3.3Programming Language :: Python :: 3.4Programming Language :: Python :: 3.5Programming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: CPythonProgramming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: PyPy |
Evidence: unicodecsv-0.14.1.tar.gz
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