How to Convert JSON to Excel (3 Easy Methods)
To convert JSON to Excel, either use Excel's built-in Power Query (Data → Get Data → From JSON), or convert the JSON to CSV first and open that in Excel. For a quick one-off, an online JSON-to-CSV converter is the fastest route to a clean spreadsheet.
Excel can't read raw JSON as a table directly, but these three methods get you there reliably. Here's each one.
Why Excel Can't Read Raw JSON Well
JSON is nested and hierarchical; an Excel sheet is a flat grid of rows and columns. Double-clicking a .json file won't produce a usable table — you first need to flatten the data so each object becomes a row and each key a column.
Method 1: Power Query (Best for Repeated Imports)
Excel's Power Query imports and flattens JSON natively:
- Open Excel → Data tab → Get Data → From File → From JSON.
- Select your
.jsonfile. The Power Query Editor opens. - Click To Table, then use the expand (⤢) icon on columns to flatten nested records and lists.
- Click Close & Load to drop the table into a sheet.
Power Query remembers the steps, so you can refresh when the source file changes — ideal for recurring reports.
Method 2: JSON → CSV → Excel (Fastest One-Off)
CSV opens natively in Excel, so converting JSON to CSV first is often quickest:
- Paste your JSON into our JSON to CSV tool.
- Download the
.csv. - Open it in Excel (or Google Sheets).
This is the simplest path for a single file and gives you full control over the columns. See How to Convert JSON to CSV for handling nested data and irregular keys.
Method 3: Preview as a Table First
Before committing, it helps to see the structure. Paste your JSON into JSON to Table to render it as rows and columns instantly — then copy into Excel or proceed to CSV. If the data looks malformed, validate it with the JSON Validator and tidy it with the JSON Formatter.
Handling Nested Objects and Arrays
Nested data is where conversions get messy:
- Nested objects → flatten into dotted columns (
address.city). - Arrays of values → join into one cell (
admin; editor) or split across rows. - Arrays of objects → in Power Query, expand them into additional rows.
Decide based on how you'll analyze the data in Excel.
Common Import Errors
- "File couldn't be opened" — the JSON is invalid; check it with the JSON Validator.
- Everything in one column — the data wasn't flattened; use Power Query's expand step or convert via CSV.
- Wrong delimiter — set Excel's import delimiter to comma when opening the CSV.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert JSON to Excel? Use Excel's Power Query (Data → Get Data → From JSON), or convert the JSON to CSV first and open that in Excel.
Can Excel open a JSON file directly? Not as a usable table. You must flatten it first via Power Query or by converting to CSV.
How do I use Power Query to import JSON? Data → Get Data → From File → From JSON, then click To Table and expand nested columns before loading.
How do I flatten nested JSON for Excel? Expand nested records/lists in Power Query, or flatten keys into dotted columns when converting to CSV.
What's the difference between JSON to CSV and JSON to Excel?
CSV is a plain-text intermediate that Excel opens natively; "JSON to Excel" usually means importing/flattening directly into an .xlsx sheet.
Related Reading
Whether you choose Power Query or a quick CSV conversion, the key is flattening: turn nested JSON into rows and columns first, and Excel handles the rest.