Convert JSON to CSV in Excel Easily

3 min read 23-10-2024

Converting JSON to CSV in Excel can be a game-changer, especially when you’re dealing with large datasets. JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is widely used for data interchange on the web, while CSV (Comma-Separated Values) is a universal format that is easy to manage in Excel. This guide will walk you through the simple steps to convert JSON to CSV in Excel effortlessly. 🚀

What is JSON?

JSON is a lightweight data format that is easy for humans to read and write, and easy for machines to parse and generate. It is commonly used for data exchange between a server and a web application.

Key Features of JSON:

Human-readable: Easy to understand and edit.
Hierarchical structure: Supports nested data structures.
Language independent: Used across various programming languages.

What is CSV?

CSV is a plain text format that represents tabular data. Each line of the file corresponds to a row in the table, and commas separate the values in that row.

Advantages of CSV:

Simplicity: Straightforward format that can be opened with any text editor.
Compatibility: Supported by all spreadsheet applications, including Excel.
Lightweight: Usually smaller in size compared to Excel files.

Steps to Convert JSON to CSV in Excel

Now, let's dive into the step-by-step process to convert your JSON data to CSV format using Excel. 📝

Step 1: Open Excel

Launch Microsoft Excel on your computer.

Step 2: Import JSON File

Go to the Data tab in the Ribbon.
Select Get Data → From File → From JSON.
Browse to the location of your JSON file and select it.

Step 3: Transform Data

Once the JSON file is imported, Excel will open the Power Query Editor.

Here, you may see your JSON data represented in a nested format. Click on the List or Record icons to navigate through the nested structure.
Select the columns you wish to include in your CSV. You may also choose to Remove other columns if needed.
After making your selections, click on Transform and then To Table.

Step 4: Load Data to Excel

After transforming the data into a table format, click on Close & Load to import the data back into Excel.
Now you will see your data neatly structured in the worksheet. 📊

Step 5: Save as CSV

Once you have your data in Excel, go to File → Save As.
Choose the CSV (Comma delimited) (*.csv) format from the dropdown.
Name your file and select the location where you want to save it.
Click Save. If prompted about features that may be lost in CSV format, click Yes.

Important Notes

Data Loss Warning: When saving in CSV format, be aware that Excel will only save the active worksheet. Any additional sheets will not be included in the CSV file.
Character Encoding: If your data includes special characters, you might want to use UTF-8 encoding to preserve those characters. Use a text editor to check the encoding if necessary.

Sample JSON Data

For a better understanding, here’s a simple example of JSON data and how it would appear in Excel after conversion:

[
    {"Name": "John", "Age": 30, "City": "New York"},
    {"Name": "Anna", "Age": 22, "City": "London"},
    {"Name": "Mike", "Age": 32, "City": "Chicago"}
]

Corresponding CSV Output

Name	Age	City
John	30	New York
Anna	22	London
Mike	32	Chicago

Conclusion

With just a few simple steps, you can easily convert your JSON files to CSV format in Excel. This process not only helps in managing your data better but also enables seamless data analysis and reporting. Whether you’re a data analyst, researcher, or just someone looking to organize data, this method is efficient and user-friendly! 🎉

Try it out, and you’ll see how straightforward the conversion can be!