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How to Open json File in Excel

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19th Feb, 2024
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How to Open json File in Excel

What is JSON?

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a file format that is used for storing and exchanging data in the network. It is used to send data from server to client and client to server.  JSON is easy for machines to analyze and generate. The extension of JSON  is .json. 

JSON records are, in reality, straightforward to peruse on the off chance that you know the construction of a Javascript document. You can utilize a proofreader with explicit help for JSON to get the disentangling. For instance, if there is an extremely pleasant JavaScript addon for Notepad++ called JSTool, which incorporates a JSON watcher, it shows the decoded esteem strings so you can duplicate the string to another content record. 

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A commonplace JSON record is a word reference where every section has a string key, and each worth is a string, a number, or exacting like valid, bogus or invalid. The qualities are strings that are encoded by the shows of Javascript, which is practically equivalent to Java or C, implying that every typical character is composed with no guarantees and all extraordinary characters are encoded with an oblique punctuation line.

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This is either followed by the scorch that is implied or by a hex number that addresses the ASCII or Unicode estimation of the singe. For example, on the off chance, you have French or Spanish scorches or dialects that are totally outside Latin letters in order like Russian or Chinese. 

JSON is JavaScript object documentation or a progression of JavaScript objects with recorded credits. These credits are what is recorded within each set of wavy sections and give data about the object. JSON records may contain numerous objects in each document. They might be the consequence of an information dump from a program that utilizes JSON documentation or methods by which a client can enter data into a data set. MongoDB, for instance, locally utilizes JSON to store information. 

A JSON document is a record that stores straightforward information constructions and objects in JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) design, which is a standard information trade design. It is principally utilized for sending information between a web application and a server. JSON documents are lightweight, text-based, comprehensible, and can be altered by using a content manager. 

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Open the record in Notepad, save it as a .TXT document, and then import it into Excel.

The Structure of JSON is 

Filename = [{key: value}]

Example

JSONExample ={ “namelist” : [ {name:”mark”, age:18, location:” Mars”},

{name:Steve Rogers, age:118, location:”Moon”},

{name:”Tony”, age:48, location:”DC”},

{name:”Peter Parker”, age:18, location:”Queens”},

{name:”Thor”, age:18, location:”Ascord”} ],

“id”:1

}

Applications of JSON

  • JSON files are primarily used while writing programming code in Javascript-based programs like node, react, etc.
  • The JSON file is used for transmitting data in a structured way while transferring via a network.
  • Most of the time JSON is used to transfer data between server and client applications.
  • In the modern era, JSON overtakes XML in the maximum amount.
  • It can adapt to all programming languages.

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What is Excel?

Excel is the name of a software program created by Microsoft and is known as Microsoft Excel. It uses a spreadsheet to store the data and numbers with the functions and formulas. The extension of the excel file is .xlsx. It is widely used in the business sector.

There are important things about excel that you can learn at upGrad. Excel is perhaps the most remarkable measurement software. It permits you to store the information in even arrangement, i.e., in lines and segment design. It additionally allows you to collaborate with your data differently. 

You can sort and channel the information utilizing probably the most powerful equations. The turntables one is the best component of Excel. You can use turntables to make another understanding by controlling the information. Excel has different highlights that can assist you with insights. There are different approaches to bringing in and sending out the information. You can likewise incorporate the data into the work process. 

Like no different insight software, Excel permits you to make the custom capacity utilizing its programming capacities. The basic role of Excel is to make records of information and to control the information according to the users’ requests. As referenced before, Excel permits you to utilize the outside information base to dissect and make reports, among other things. 

Currently, Excel offers the best graphical UI alongside the utilization of design instruments and representation strategies.

 

Source 

Applications of Excel

1. Easy to Utilize Interface

MS Excel has an easy-to-use interface that empowers the client to utilize the software effectively without battling an excessive amount to keep up any records. 

2. Graphical Representation

MS Excel empowers the client to graphically address the information entered. This component of excel helps break down the numbers easily when we manage an enormous amount of data. When handling a vast amount of data (extending to 1000 lines), graphical representation helps us assess the information quickly. 

3. Highly Supportive in Breaking Down Deals

Excel helps organizations break down deals and buys and appropriately assists them with examining their purchasing/selling choices. 

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4. Financial Modeling 

Quite possibly, the main benefit of Excel is that it simplifies the financial analysis of the organization. It helps with maintaining the financial records of the organization in an easily accessible format. Excel is often used to calculate or determine EBITDA, WACC, net sales, and net profits, among other things.

5. Accessibility of a Broad Scope of Functions

Excel has enormous scope for doing equations which assists us with computing the entirety, item, difference, and any arrangements of numbers. The user can call upon various functions to simplify the vast data at hand to offer an accurate deduction.

6. Future Development of Any Business 

Excel is a valuable instrument to break down different sorts of information. Organizations use Excel to get an accurate picture of their business development and get a realistic forecast of the coming years’ achievable growth. Excel helps organizations accomplishing a particular development rate by examining the progress of the business.

Why Use JSON Files In Excel

Integrating JSON files into Excel for data analysis and processing has various benefits. These benefits drive people to learn how to open JSON file in Excel in the first place. So, first of all, users can quickly import JSON data into Excel and utilize all of the data analysis tools available in Excel, including conditional formatting, sorting, and filtering.

Furthermore, Excel offers strong graphing and charting features that let users visualize JSON data for improved data visualization and insights. Users can fully utilize the program’s data analysis and visualization capabilities by integrating JSON files into Excel.

Different Methods To Open JSON File In Excel

Depending on your data complexity and unique needs, you can open JSON files in Excel using different methods. So, before you learn the steps on how to open JSON file in Excel, explore the various methods available for it.

  • VBA Macros: More experienced users can automate the integration of JSON with Excel using the VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) macros in Excel. Using custom VBA code, you may build a smooth process for importing, updating, and modifying JSON data in Excel.
  • Power Query: Advanced data processing and manipulation are possible using Excel’s Power Query tool. You can import data into Excel, perform transformations, and connect to JSON data sources with Power Query. This strategy offers greater flexibility in managing intricate JSON structures and merging data from several sources.
  • Third-Party Add-Ins: Several third-party add-ins offer further features for combining JSON with Excel. These add-ins provide additional functionality, including data mapping, sophisticated transformation choices, and real-time updates.

By exploring these several techniques, you can select the approach that most effectively meets your requirements and enables the seamless integration of JSON data with Excel.

How to Open JSON file in EXCEL?

The methods of opening JSON files in Excel vary in different versions of Microsoft Excel. You can apply the following methods to open a JSON file depending on the versions of Excel you have:

Office 2007

In the 2007 version of Office, excel doesn’t have the option to open a JSON file in EXCEL.

Office 2010

  • After opening Excel, on the Power Query tab, click From Other Sources > Blank Query.
  • In the Query Editor, click Advanced Editor.
  • Input your query string as follows, replacing “C:\Users\Name\Desktop\example.json” with the path to your JSON file.

let

    Source = Json.Document(File.Contents(“C:\Users\Name\Desktop\example.json”)),

    #”Converted to Table” = Record.ToTable(Source)

in

    # “Converted to Table”

Office 2013

In the 2013 version of Office, excel doesn’t have the option to open a JSON file in EXCEL.

  • After opening Excel, on the Power Query tab, click From Other Sources > Blank Query.
  • In the Query Editor, click Advanced Editor.
  • Enter your query string as follows, replacing “C:\Users\example.json” with the path to your JSON file.

let

    Source = Json.Document(File.Contents(“C:\Users\example.json”)),

    #”Converted to Table” = Record.ToTable(Source)

in

    # “Converted to Table”

In Newer Version of Excel

  • Select Data > Get Data > From File > From JSON. The Import Data dialog box appears.
  • Search the JSON file, and then select Open.

Opening JSON From the Internet in Excel

The above methods are used for opening files stored in local storage. If you want to import JSON data from the internet or from an API call, you can do the following:

  • Go to Data Tab -> Transform data -> Click From Web. It will open a window or modal.

Source

  • Then, open the power query.

 

Source

  • Next, create a table for the JSON.

Source

  • By following the steps, you can open the JSON file in EXCEL.

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Converting API Data To Excel: Learn How

Now that you know how to open JSON file in Excel, unveil the steps to convert or retrieve the API Data in Excel:

  • Step 1: Open MS Excel and click on the Data tab.
  • Step 2: Several alternatives for obtaining data will appear; you must select the From other sources drop-down box.
  • Step 3: The From OData Data Feed option will be shown to you in the list. You must select this option.
  • Step 4: You will then be prompted for the file location or link URL.
  • Step 5: The API service’s results URL can be entered.
  • Step 6: If the API is accessible to the public, entering the username and password is unnecessary. However, you must provide your username and password to connect to the API when making a private API call.
  • Step 7: Following a successful API connection, you will be prompted to retrieve the required data into an Excel spreadsheet.
  • Step 8: Click Next to close the dialogue box and save the data connection.
  • Step 9: The last step is to select whether you want to examine the data in the newly created worksheet or in the existing one. You can select any of the other choices according to your needs.
  • Step 10: Additionally, data from the API will be downloaded to your Excel file.

So, the API data can be converted to Excel in this manner. 

JSON Limitations & Troubleshooting It In Excel

Despite knowing how to open JSON file in Excel, you may encounter some troubleshooting problems. That’s because of the limitations of JSON. So, here’s what you need to know:

Max File Size of Excel and JSON

Excel’s row limits apply to JSON imports as they do to other spreadsheets. For example, Excel may crash and you may lose all data if your JSON file is quite large—more than a few megabytes. Larger data sets with hierarchically structured relationships are best suited for JSON format, although working with it in Excel becomes more challenging due to its structure.

Flattening JSON Structure

JSON is a simple format for exchanging data that one can use in almost all coding languages, but importing it into Excel in a useful format might be challenging. This is particularly valid when handling really complicated files.

While it is possible to import JSON into Excel, as we have explained above, you may find yourself in a difficult situation if you don’t know how to flatten a large JSON file or are unfamiliar with the data schema.

Opening JSON File In Excel Via VBA

Using code, you may automate processes, add new functions, and improve Excel’s capabilities with VBA (Visual Basic for Applications), an integrated programming language. Macro creation is possible with VBA and can be used to handle operations or automate processes.

So, how to open JSON file in Excel using VBA? Well, you have to build custom code to connect with the JSON file and process the data when importing data from JSON files into Excel using VBA. The benefit of code is that it can be customized to meet your needs.

You can modify/update the code to conform to your needs if you are experienced with VBA. However, learning the fundamentals of VBA could take some time and effort if you’re new to the program.

How To Integrate Multiple JSON Files Into One Excel Workbook

Merging data from several sources or combining data for analysis can benefit from integrating several JSON files into a single Excel document. You may centralize the data and generate extensive reports or dashboards in Excel by combining several JSON files.

So, use these procedures for integrating several JSON files into a single Excel workbook:

  • Launch Excel, then make a new workbook.
  • Import the first JSON file into Excel using one of the previously described techniques.
  • Import every extra JSON file into a different worksheet in the same workbook using the same procedure.

Tips To Work Seamlessly With JSON In Excel

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Besides learning how to open JSON file in Excel, explore these tips and tactics to efficiently work with JSON in Excel. Here are some ideas to enhance your workflow:

  • Import Only the Necessary Data: You may not need to import all of the data from your JSON file into Excel if it is too huge. To concentrate only on the data you require throughout the import procedure, consider filtering or choosing particular elements.
  • Updating and Refreshing Data: Use Excel’s refresh feature to update your JSON data automatically if it is dynamic and prone to frequent changes. There are easy ways to refresh data from JSON sources with Power Query.
  • Use Named Ranges: Think about naming ranges inside the Excel workbook to improve data organization and make calculations easier to understand. Named ranges simplify referring to particular JSON data pieces in computations and formulas.

By implementing these tips into your workflow, you may improve productivity and expedite the process of dealing with JSON data in Excel.

Conclusion

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a file format that is used in storing data and exchanging data in the network. EXCEL uses a spreadsheet to store the data and numbers with functions and formulas. The steps for opening a JSON file in Excel differ in several versions of EXCEL. In the newer version, you can open a JSON file by selecting “Data” > Get Data > From File > From JSON. The Import Data dialogue box appears. Search the JSON file, and then select “Open.” You can check out Free online Excel courses offered by upGrad on Excel

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Profile

Rohan Vats

Blog Author
Software Engineering Manager @ upGrad. Passionate about building large scale web apps with delightful experiences. In pursuit of transforming engineers into leaders.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1What is a json format?

JSON is a format of storing and exchanging data. It stands for JavaScript Object Notation. JSON is a lightweight data-interchange format. It is used primarily to transmit data between a server and web application, as an alternative to XML. It is a text format that is completely language independent but uses conventions that are familiar to programmers of the C-family of languages, including C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, Perl, Python, and many others. This data interchange format is simple, small, and language independent JSON was derived from the JavaScript scripting language for representing simple data structures and associative arrays, called objects. It has become quite popular for transporting data between the server and web application. It is considered as a lightweight or language independent alternative to XML and is used in numerous AJAX applications.

2How to view json files?

JSON file is actually a text file, you can view it line by line with simple text editor like notepad, notepad++ or emacs and so on. If you want to view it in python, it'll be better to install jq, in that case, you can view it in python like: jq '.result'. There are many available JSON libraries for almost every language. If you are interested in Java, you may want to check out GSON. If you want to use for Python, you can also use simplejson.

3What are the applications of JSON files?

JSON files are files that store data in JavaScript Object Notation. This is a lightweight format for storing data which is easy for humans to read and write. One of the best features of JSON files is that they are readable by both machines and humans (unlike XML) and more importantly, they work well with JavaScript. JSON files are commonly used for data-driven web applications. In fact, you can even use them to make a web page dynamic. JavaScript has the ability to parse these files and that’s why JSON is one of the best ways to return data to a web page. You can store data in a well-organized and easily-readable format.

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