JSON to CSV Conversion Guide
Master data format conversion
JSON and CSV are two of the most common data formats. This guide explains when to use each and how to convert between them.
JSON vs CSV: When to Use Each
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation)
- ✓ Hierarchical/nested data
- ✓ APIs and web applications
- ✓ Configuration files
- ✓ Complex data structures
CSV (Comma-Separated Values)
- ✓ Tabular data (spreadsheets)
- ✓ Excel compatibility
- ✓ Database imports/exports
- ✓ Simple, flat data
Example: JSON to CSV
Input JSON:
[
{"name": "Alice", "age": 30, "city": "NYC"},
{"name": "Bob", "age": 25, "city": "LA"}
]Output CSV:
name,age,city
Alice,30,NYC
Bob,25,LACommon Issues & Solutions
- Nested JSON: Flatten before converting, or use JSON path notation
- Special characters: CSV escapes commas and quotes automatically
- Missing fields: Empty cells are created for missing properties
- Data types: CSV treats everything as text; may need post-processing