Coverton BlogConvert CSV, JSON and XML while checking structure and types
Tables and nested data represent information differently. CSV stores rows and columns; JSON can represent objects and arrays. Check the destination’s structure, encoding and separator, then open a small converted sample first.
Use the free tool →Inspect information lost when making a table
Check how nested structures and repeated elements are represented when JSON or XML becomes a table. CSV does not explicitly declare date, numeric or string types. Receiving apps may reinterpret leading zeros and long identifiers, so compare important values.
Review separators and quoting
CSV and TSV use different separators. Check commas, tabs, embedded newlines and quotes in output values. Markdown tables have structural limits and should not be assumed to preserve merged cells or spreadsheet formatting.
Format JSON and convert JSONL
Formatting adds readable indentation; minifying removes unnecessary whitespace. Neither operation repairs every data error. JSONL places an independent JSON value on each line, so compare record counts when converting to or from an array.
Choose the right tool
Example inputs illustrate the workflow; they do not promise a particular file size, recognition accuracy or compatibility.
Convert CSV to JSON
Turn rows and columns into JSON records after checking headers and delimiters. Review how values are represented in the result.
Example
name,count / Coverton,2 → JSON record array- Choose files in CSV format. Maximum files per batch: 1.
- Review Input encoding, Input delimiter, then start processing.
- Download the JSON result and check its content and quality.
What to check
Check header names and delimiter selection. CSV values do not carry a spreadsheet's formatting or formulas.
Convert JSON to CSV
Open a JSON record list in a spreadsheet. Nested fields produce different columns depending on flattening settings.
Example
JSON object array → header-and-row CSV- Choose files in JSON format. Maximum files per batch: 1.
- Review Flatten nested objects, then start processing.
- Download the CSV result and check its content and quality.
What to check
CSV cannot represent every JSON structure. Formula-like cells are escaped as text for spreadsheet safety.
Convert TSV to CSV
Import a tab-separated export into a CSV-only system. Check that commas within values stay in their cells.
Example
tab-separated name/count → comma-separated CSV- Choose files in TSV, TXT format. Maximum files per batch: 1.
- Review Input encoding, then start processing.
- Download the CSV result and check its content and quality.
What to check
Quoted delimiters and newlines need valid input syntax. Formula-like cells are escaped in the result.
Convert CSV to TSV
Prepare a CSV table for software requiring tab-separated data. Commas inside quoted fields remain cell content.
Example
quoted CSV fields → tab-separated records- Choose files in CSV format. Maximum files per batch: 1.
- Review Input encoding, Input delimiter, then start processing.
- Download the TSV result and check its content and quality.
What to check
Choose the source delimiter correctly. Tabs and line breaks inside field values need careful review.
Convert XML to JSON
Inspect XML elements and values in JSON. Do not assume an XML tree is equivalent to a flat table.
Example
<root><name>Coverton</name></root> → JSON structure- Choose files in XML format. Maximum files per batch: 1.
- Check the input format and file order, then start processing.
- Download the JSON result and check its content and quality.
What to check
XML and JSON have different data models. Entity declarations and unsafe XML are rejected.
Convert JSON to XML
Choose a root name when writing JSON as XML. Compare the generated structure with the receiving system's requirements.
Example
JSON data + root name → XML document- Choose files in JSON format. Maximum files per batch: 1.
- Review Root element name, then start processing.
- Download the XML result and check its content and quality.
What to check
This does not infer an external XML schema or reconstruct the exact XML from a previous conversion.
Format and validate JSON
Indent one-line JSON for reading and structural checks. Invalid syntax must be corrected before formatting.
Example
compact JSON → indented valid JSON- Choose files in JSON format. Maximum files per batch: 1.
- Review Indentation, then start processing.
- Download the JSON result and check its content and quality.
What to check
JSON must not contain comments or trailing commas. JavaScript number precision limits apply.
Minify JSON
Remove unnecessary whitespace from valid JSON for transfer. This does not compress images or remove records.
Example
indented JSON → compact JSON- Choose files in JSON format. Maximum files per batch: 1.
- Check the input format and file order, then start processing.
- Download the JSON result and check its content and quality.
What to check
Minification is not ZIP compression. Parsed numbers remain subject to JavaScript precision limits.
Convert CSV to a Markdown table
Move tabular data into a README or Markdown document. Inspect how long cells and line breaks render.
Example
CSV headers/rows → Markdown table- Choose files in CSV format. Maximum files per batch: 1.
- Review Input encoding, Input delimiter, then start processing.
- Download the Markdown result and check its content and quality.
What to check
Markdown tables have limited support for multiline cells, styling and complex spreadsheet content.
Convert a Markdown table to CSV
Import a Markdown pipe table into a spreadsheet. This does not turn an entire prose document into a table.
Example
Markdown pipe table → CSV rows- Choose files in MD, MARKDOWN format. Maximum files per batch: 1.
- Check the input format and file order, then start processing.
- Download the CSV result and check its content and quality.
What to check
This reads table syntax, not a full Markdown document layout. Review escaped pipes and multiline content.
Convert JSON to JSONL
Prepare a JSON array for a line-oriented consumer. Verify the selected data when using a nested array path.
Example
[{record 1},{record 2}] → one JSON record per line- Choose files in JSON format. Maximum files per batch: 1.
- Review Array path (empty for root array), then start processing.
- Download the JSONL result and check its content and quality.
What to check
The selected value must be an array. Each output line is a complete JSON value.
Convert JSONL to JSON Online
Read JSONL or NDJSON as one array. Invalid lines are reported rather than silently discarded.
Example
two valid JSON lines → two-element JSON array- Choose files in JSONL, NDJSON, TXT format. Maximum files per batch: 1.
- Review Indentation, then start processing.
- Download the JSON result and check its content and quality.
What to check
Every non-empty line must contain one complete JSON value. A malformed line stops conversion instead of being silently discarded.
This guide describes the public web tools and their support limits. Keep your original and check the downloaded result. Coverton · Corrections and contact