How to extract environment variables from a .env file
Paste .env content or choose a file, then inspect each parsed entry in its source position. Env Variable Extractor keeps line numbers, comments, blank lines, export prefixes, duplicate keys, and quote style in the table. Secret-looking values start masked.
- Paste .env text into the text area, or select a
.envor.txtfile under Drop a .env file here. - Keep Mask secret-looking values by default checked while reviewing values, or clear it to show them.
- Keep Show blank/comment/unparsed lines in table checked when those source rows should remain visible.
- Read Parsed results, including duplicate-key rows and parse warnings.
- Choose Masked or Unmasked under Export values, then use Copy JSON, Copy CSV, Export JSON, or Export CSV.
How to parse a .env file without losing source details
Env Variable Extractor accepts an optional export prefix. A key must start with a letter or underscore, then may contain letters, digits, underscores, dots, or hyphens. Blank lines and lines whose first non-space character is # get their own row types. Lines that do not match [export] KEY=VALUE are marked unparsed and receive a warning.
Quoted values can span lines. Single quotes and backticks keep their contents literal. Double quotes interpret \n, \r, \t, \\, \", and \$. Unquoted values stay on one line. A space followed by # starts an inline comment.
DATABASE_URL="postgres://user:pass@host:5432/db" # primary
raw value: "postgres://user:pass@host:5432/db"
parsed value: postgres://user:pass@host:5432/db
inline comment: primaryHow duplicate .env keys and secret masking work
Every duplicate key remains in the table. The first occurrence is marked active, and later occurrences are marked shadowed. Parsed results also count entries, unique keys, duplicate-key rows, secret-looking keys, and parse warnings.
Masking checks the key name for terms such as KEY, TOKEN, SECRET, PASSWORD, AUTH, CREDENTIAL, or connection-string words. With Mask secret-looking values by default checked, matching raw and parsed values are masked. Use Reveal this value for one row or Reveal all masked values for the table. A name-based check can miss a secret stored under an unrelated key.
API_KEY=abc123
API_KEY=override-later
first row: active, masked
second row: shadowed, maskedExport parsed environment variables
Copy JSON and Copy CSV put entry rows on the clipboard. Export JSON and Export CSV download the same entry data. Each exported row includes its line, export prefix, key, quote style, raw value, parsed value, inline comment, duplicate count, occurrence, and effective status. Blank, comment, and unparsed rows stay out of the exports.
To include visible secret values, choose Unmasked under Export values and check I want to export unmasked secret values. The export stays blocked until that box is checked. The page reads selected files with the browser's FileReader and does not send file content to a server.
Where extracting .env variables comes up
- Review a deployment file and see every occurrence of a repeated key before copying the entry rows.
- Turn pasted environment text into CSV while keeping secret-looking values masked.
- Inspect quoted database settings, inline comments, and export prefixes without hiding their source lines.
When to use this .env extractor
Use Env Variable Extractor when the line position, quote style, duplicate status, or comment belongs in the result. For a different configuration format, see Config File Extract Tools.
Frequently asked questions
How do I extract environment variables from a .env file?
Paste the file into the text area or select it under Drop a .env file here, then review Parsed results. The table keeps each entry's key, line, quote style, raw value, parsed value, and inline comment.
Can I parse .env variables with ${OTHER_VAR} references?
No. The parser leaves ${OTHER_VAR} and $VAR references as text and does not expand them from other keys.
Does the .env parser keep duplicate keys?
Yes. Every occurrence stays in the table, with the first marked active and later rows marked shadowed.
Can I export extracted variables without revealing secrets?
Yes. Choose Masked under Export values and use Copy JSON, Copy CSV, Export JSON, or Export CSV; secret-looking values remain masked in the exported entry rows.