Data conversion

JSON to CSV: how should nested data be represented?

CSV is two-dimensional, so nested objects, arrays, and types need explicit conversion rules.

CSV is not a flat JSON

CSV has rows and columns but no object hierarchy, array type, or reliable type metadata. A useful conversion defines how nested fields expand and what cannot be reconstructed.

An explicit rule

A field such as contact.city can become a contact.city header, while an array can remain JSON text in one cell. On import, values should remain strings instead of guessing that 001, true, or a date has a different type.

Spreadsheet safety

Cells beginning with =, +, - or @ may be interpreted as formulas. Use a spreadsheet-safe output mode or disable formula execution downstream.

Related tools

Sources

Last updated: 2026-08-23