Google Sheet To Json

Amon Skres

2 min read

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29-12-2024

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Google Sheets is a powerful tool for organizing and managing data, but sometimes you need that data in a different format, such as JSON (JavaScript Object Notation). JSON is a lightweight data-interchange format that's easily readable by both humans and machines, making it ideal for use with web applications and APIs. This guide will walk you through several methods for converting your Google Sheet data into JSON format.

Method 1: Using a Google Apps Script

This is arguably the most straightforward and powerful method, offering significant flexibility and control. You'll write a simple script that directly interacts with your Google Sheet and generates the JSON output.

Steps:

1. Open your Google Sheet: Navigate to your spreadsheet in Google Sheets.
2. Open Script Editor: Go to "Tools" > "Script editor".
3. Paste the Script: Replace the default code with the following script. This script assumes your data starts in cell A1. Adjust the sheetName variable if your data is on a different sheet. Remember to save the script after pasting it.

function sheetToJson() {
  // Get the active spreadsheet and sheet
  const ss = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet();
  const sheet = ss.getSheetByName("Sheet1"); //Change "Sheet1" to your sheet name

  // Get the data range
  const dataRange = sheet.getDataRange();

  // Get the values as a 2D array
  const values = dataRange.getValues();

  //Remove the header row if present. Comment out this line if you don't have a header row.
  values.shift();

  // Convert to JSON
  const jsonOutput = JSON.stringify(values);

  //Return the JSON output. You can modify this section to save the JSON to a file or other location.
  return jsonOutput;
}

4. Run the Script: Click the "Run" button (it might ask you to authorize the script). The JSON output will appear in the script's execution log. You can copy this JSON from the log.

5. Customize (Optional): The script above provides a basic conversion. You can modify it to:

   • Handle headers more elegantly (e.g., create a JSON object with keys based on header names).
   • Filter data before conversion.
   • Format the JSON output differently (e.g., pretty-printed).

Method 2: Using Third-Party Tools

Several online tools and applications are specifically designed for converting spreadsheets to JSON. These tools often provide a user-friendly interface, requiring minimal technical expertise. Simply upload your Google Sheet (you might need to download it as a CSV or XLSX first) and the tool will generate the JSON output. The accuracy and features of these tools vary, so it’s advisable to check reviews and test the output carefully.

Choosing the Right Method

The best method depends on your technical skills and the complexity of your task. For simple conversions and one-off tasks, a third-party tool might suffice. However, for more complex transformations, repeated conversions, or custom formatting, a Google Apps Script offers greater flexibility and control. Remember to always back up your data before making any significant changes.