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Excel files are often used to store structured data like research results, databases, or reports. They work fine when the data is only viewed or edited manually. But when the same data needs to be used inside a web application, Excel becomes a problem. This is because many web apps may not directly work with spreadsheet files.
Most web applications use JSON to handle data. APIs send JSON, frontend code reads JSON, and backend services also prefer it. Because of this, Excel data usually needs to be converted before it can be used.
Converting Excel files to JSON helps turn spreadsheet data into something that applications can actually understand. It also avoids manual copying and reduces formatting mistakes. In this blog, we will explain how to convert Excel files to JSON in a simple way and why this step matters in web development.
Why Web Applications Prefer JSON
Web applications prefer JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) since it is a lightweight, text-based, language-independent format. It is created especially for quick data exchange between web servers and customers.
JSON lets real-time, dynamic API interactions be made and supports sophisticated, hierarchical (nested) data formats, and parses quickly in web browsers.
Among the main reasons one would choose JSON over Excel are:
- Performance and Fast Data Exchange: JSON is lightweight. So it is faster to transfer, interpret, and generate. This is necessary for website performance.
- Hierarchical Data Structure: While Excel is restricted to a flat, tabular format, JSON manages nested data, arrays, and objects.
- Native Web Integration: Because JSON is native to JavaScript, web applications may read and display data without complex processing.
- Readability and Machine Parsing: Virtually all current programming languages can easily parse it. And it is human-readable too.
On the other hand, Excel is typically unsuitable for online applications because of its strong binary structure, absence of real-time update capability, and problems in processing complex, non-tabular, or nested data forms.
Common Ways to Convert Excel Files to JSON
There are multiple ways to convert Excel files to JSON. But here, we will discuss two easy methods. One involves using codes, and the other one employs an online Excel to JSON converter, which is relatively quick and easy. You can follow any of them according to your preferences.
1. Convert Excel to JSON Using an Online Tool
Well, the conversion of an Excel file to JSON is quite easy through an online Excel to JSON converter. You do not need any technical expertise. Also, there is no installation or code writing required.
The following simple steps are involved in converting an Excel file into JSON with an online converter:
- Access the tool online and upload your Excel spreadsheet there. If your file is saved online, you can also paste the URL of that file. The tool will automatically extract data from the link.
- After you upload the spreadsheet or paste the URL of your file, the tool will automatically convert the data in the Excel sheet into JSON.
- The tool will show the converted data in the output field. You can copy the JSON data directly to the clipboard by clicking on the “Copy” button. Or you can download it into a .json file using the “Download” button.
This is all that it takes to convert Excel data into a JSON file. It’s easy and simple!
Converting Excel to JSON Using Code
The second method to convert an Excel file to JSON is by using JavaScript with the SheetJS library (xlsx). It works in both Node.js and browser environments. You can read an Excel file, parse it, and get a JSON object that can be used directly in your application. Here are the steps to follow:
- First of all, you have to install a library for Node js if it was not installed previously. Use the following code to do this.
- Well, after installing the library, read the Excel file and convert it:
- Use the JSON data in your application or save it to a file:
This method is practical, fast, and widely used in web development projects. It avoids manual conversion and keeps data consistent.
Final Words
JSON files are more preferred over the Excel sheets because they make data easier to use and modify in web application development. Excel sheets are good to use for adding and managing data manually. But these sheets are not designed for APIs or JavaScript-based systems.
Both of the methods discussed above are practical and useful. However, the use of modern online tools like Excel to JSON converters makes the process a bit easier and quick. Also, you do not need to make any effort in installing libraries. So, whenever you need to convert a spreadsheet, you can use it.
