Convert JSON to CSV Online

When to Use This Tool

This JSON to CSV converter is perfect for developers, data analysts, and anyone who needs to transform JSON data into a spreadsheet-friendly format. Common use cases include:

• Exporting API responses to Excel or Google Sheets
• Converting database exports for reporting
• Transforming log files for analysis
• Preparing data for import into other systems
• Creating readable reports from JSON configuration files

Step-by-Step Instructions

Tips for Best Results

• Ensure your JSON is valid before converting. Invalid JSON will show an error message.
• For nested objects, fields are flattened using dot notation (e.g., user.address.city).
• Arrays within objects are indexed numerically (e.g., items.0.name, items.1.name).
• If your JSON has inconsistent fields across records, all unique fields will appear as columns.
• Large files may take a moment to process. The loading indicator shows conversion progress.

What is JSON?

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight data format used to store and exchange data. It's human-readable and widely used in web APIs, configuration files, and data storage. JSON consists of key-value pairs organized in objects and arrays.

Valid JSON Structures for Conversion

This converter accepts two main JSON structures:

[
  {"name": "Alice", "age": 30, "city": "New York"},
  {"name": "Bob", "age": 25, "city": "Los Angeles"},
  {"name": "Carol", "age": 35, "city": "Chicago"}
]

{"name": "Alice", "age": 30, "city": "New York"}

Handling Nested Data

Real-world JSON often contains nested objects and arrays. Our converter flattens these automatically using dot notation:

{
  "user": {
    "name": "Alice",
    "address": {
      "city": "NYC",
      "zip": "10001"
    }
  },
  "orders": [
    {"id": 1, "total": 99},
    {"id": 2, "total": 150}
  ]
}

user.name
user.address.city
user.address.zip
orders.0.id
orders.0.total
orders.1.id
orders.1.total

Common JSON Mistakes

• Missing quotes around keys: Use {"name": "value"} not {name: "value"}
• Single quotes: JSON requires double quotes. Use "text" not 'text'
• Trailing commas: Remove the comma after the last item in arrays and objects
• Unescaped special characters: Escape quotes inside strings with backslash: \"

What is CSV?

CSV (Comma-Separated Values) is a simple text format for storing tabular data. Each line represents a row, and values are separated by commas. CSV files can be opened in Excel, Google Sheets, Numbers, and most database tools, making it the universal format for data exchange.

How Flattening Works

Since CSV is a flat format (rows and columns only), nested JSON structures must be flattened. Our converter uses dot notation to preserve the hierarchical relationship:

• Nested objects: user.profile.name indicates name inside profile inside user
• Array items: items.0, items.1, items.2 for each array element
• Nested arrays: orders.0.products.0.name for deeply nested structures

CSV Formatting Rules

The converter handles special characters automatically to ensure your CSV opens correctly:

• Commas in values: Values containing commas are wrapped in double quotes
• Quotes in values: Double quotes are escaped by doubling them ("")
• Line breaks: Newlines within values are preserved and the value is quoted
• Empty values: Null or undefined values become empty cells

Working with Variable Schemas

When your JSON objects have different fields (some records have properties others don't), the converter creates columns for all unique fields found across all records. Records missing a field will have an empty cell in that column. This ensures no data is lost during conversion.

Opening Your CSV File

After downloading, you can open your CSV in:

• Microsoft Excel: Double-click the file or use File → Open
• Google Sheets: Upload to Google Drive or File → Import
• Apple Numbers: Double-click or drag into Numbers
• Text editors: Open in VS Code, Notepad++, or any text editor to see raw data