diff --git a/esbo_etc/lib/helpers.py b/esbo_etc/lib/helpers.py
index 5e42c50..bc98d57 100644
--- a/esbo_etc/lib/helpers.py
+++ b/esbo_etc/lib/helpers.py
@@ -2,6 +2,10 @@ import logging
 import sys
 import traceback
 import numpy as np
+from astropy.io import ascii
+from astropy.table import Table
+import astropy.units as u
+import re
 
 
 def error(msg: str, exit_: bool = True):
@@ -87,3 +91,42 @@ def rasterizeCircle(grid: np.ndarray, radius: float, xc: float, yc: float):
     # ax.add_artist(circle)
     # plt.show()
     return grid
+
+
+def readCSV(file: str, units: list = None, format_: str = None) -> Table:
+    """
+    Read a CSV file and parse the units in the header
+
+    Parameters
+    ----------
+    file : str
+        The path to the file to read.
+    units : list
+        A list of the default units for the columns.
+    format_ : str
+        The format to be used for reading (see also astropy table formats).
+
+    Returns
+    -------
+    data : Table
+        The read table as astropy Table object.
+    """
+    # Read the file
+    data = ascii.read(file, format=format_)
+    # Check if units are given
+    if data[data.colnames[0]].unit is None:
+        # Convert values to float
+        for i in range(len(data.columns)):
+            data[data.colnames[i]] = list(map(float, data[data.colnames[i]]))
+        # Check if units are given in column headers
+        if all([re.search("\\[.+\\]", x) for x in data.colnames]):
+            # Extract units from headers and apply them on the columns
+            # noinspection PyArgumentList
+            units = [u.Unit(re.findall("(?<=\\[).+(?=\\])", x)[0]) for x in data.colnames]
+            for i in range(len(data.columns)):
+                data[data.colnames[i]].unit = units[i]
+        # Use default units
+        elif units is not None and len(units) == len(data.columns):
+            for i in range(len(data.columns)):
+                data[data.colnames[i]].unit = units[i]
+    return data