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Fenil Panwala
Fenil Panwala

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How to Convert JSON to CSV for Excel (With Example)

#json #csv #webdev #javascript

APIs and modern applications usually return data in JSON format, but tools like Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets work much better with CSV files.

If you’ve ever tried to open raw JSON in Excel, you already know how messy it can get.

In this article, I’ll show:

  • What JSON and CSV are
  • A simple JSON → CSV example
  • Different ways to convert JSON to CSV

What is JSON and CSV?

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation)
JSON is a structured data format commonly used by APIs and web services. It supports nested objects and arrays.

CSV (Comma-Separated Values)
CSV is a flat, tabular format that works well with Excel, Google Sheets, and data analysis tools.

Because CSV is flat, JSON data often needs to be flattened during conversion.

Example JSON Data 

[
  {
    "id": 1,
    "name": "John Doe",
    "email": "john@example.com",
    "skills": ["JavaScript", "React"]
  },
  {
    "id": 2,
    "name": "Jane Smith",
    "email": "jane@example.com",
    "skills": ["Java", "Spring"]
  }
]
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Converted CSV Output 

id,name,email,skills
1,John Doe,john@example.com,"JavaScript|React"
2,Jane Smith,jane@example.com,"Java|Spring"
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This CSV file can be opened directly in:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Google Sheets
  • LibreOffice Calc

Ways to Convert JSON to CSV

  1. Writing a Script You can write a script in JavaScript, Python, or another language to parse JSON and generate CSV.

Pros

  • Full control over transformation
  • Custom logic for complex data

Cons

  • akes time to write and maintain
  • Overkill for quick conversions
  1. Using Excel Power Query Excel allows importing JSON using Power Query.

Pros

  • Built into Excel
  • Useful for repeatable workflows

Cons

  • Not beginner-friendly
  • Requires setup and learning
  1. Using an Online JSON to CSV Tool For quick, one-off conversions, an online tool is often the fastest option.

You can use a free browser-based JSON to CSV converter here:
👉 https://alljsontools.com/json-to-csv

This works well when:

  • You don’t want to write code
  • You need Excel-compatible output
  • You want instant results

Why Client-Side Conversion Matters

When working with API responses or internal data, privacy is important.

Client-side tools:

  • Process data in the browser
  • Do not upload files to a server
  • Are safer for sensitive data

Common Use Cases

  • Exporting API responses to Excel
  • Preparing reports and dashboards
  • Sharing data with non-technical teams
  • Quick inspection of JSON data

Final Thoughts

JSON is great for applications, but CSV is still the most practical format for spreadsheets.

  • If you convert data frequently, scripting or Power Query might be worth learning.
  • For quick tasks, a browser-based JSON to CSV converter can save a lot of time.

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