how do you export a large number of apple contacts into a CSV file

Using Numbers you can copy and paste from Contacts, then export them.

You can select all your contacts in the Contacts Mac App by using Command-A (hold down Command key and press A), then either copy with Command-C or drag and drop into a new Numbers spreadsheet. Then you can use File>Export To>CSV... (In Numbers).

Jedgolf wrote:

I use numbers and it will only let me paste about 20 contacts

You shouldn't be limited to 20 contacts. Perhaps you should experiment and try again.

SG