# Spreadsheet\_safe setting in csv output plugin? **URL:** \ **Category:** Logstash\ **Created:** [January 20, 2017, 3:42am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/spreadsheet-safe-setting-in-csv-output-plugin/72251 "2017-01-20T03:42:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Yaswanth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/94ad74/32.png) [@Yaswanth](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/Yaswanth)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 3:42am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/spreadsheet-safe-setting-in-csv-output-plugin/72251/1 "2017-01-20T03:42:32Z")
HI, Why this spreadsheet\_safe plugin is used in logstash and how does it effect my output? I went through this site but didn't get a clear picture of why it is used? [https://www.elastic.co/guide/en/logstash/current/plugins-outputs-csv.html#plugins-outputs-csv-spreadsheet\_safe](https://www.elastic.co/guide/en/logstash/current/plugins-outputs-csv.html#plugins-outputs-csv-spreadsheet_safe) Thanks ---
**Author:** ![magnusbaeck](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/user_avatar/discuss.elastic.co/magnusbaeck/32/44943_2.png) [@magnusbaeck](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/magnusbaeck)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 7:14am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/spreadsheet-safe-setting-in-csv-output-plugin/72251/2 "2017-01-20T07:14:08Z")
When enabled, column values that start with "=" will be escaped with single quotes so the field value won't be interpreted as a formula by a spreadsheet program. In other words, ``` foo,=1+2,bar ``` will be turned into ``` foo,'=1+2',bar ``` ---
**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/original/3X/1/a/1ac57faf039f6b580b3f104ef42a2a89e41014de.png) [@system](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/system)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2017, 7:14am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/spreadsheet-safe-setting-in-csv-output-plugin/72251/3 "2017-02-17T07:14:12Z")
Closed on February 17, 2017, 7:14am UTC This topic was automatically closed 28 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.