Convert Excel to JSON on Windows 10 and 11 — No Install Required

Converting an Excel file to JSON on Windows does not require Python, Node.js, or any software installation. A browser-based converter runs directly in Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome and completes the conversion in seconds. This guide walks through the process step by step on Windows 10 and 11.

How to Convert Excel to JSON in Edge or Chrome on Windows

Microsoft Edge is the default browser on Windows 10 and 11 — and it works perfectly for browser-based Excel to JSON conversion. Google Chrome works identically.

Steps:

1. Open Edge or Chrome on your Windows machine
2. Navigate to the Excel to JSON converter tool
3. Click the upload area and select your .xlsx, .xls, or .csv file
4. If your workbook has multiple sheets, select the sheet you want to convert
5. The JSON output appears instantly in the panel on the right
6. Click Copy JSON or Download JSON to save the output

The downloaded file saves to your Windows Downloads folder as a .json file, ready to use in any text editor, IDE, or application.

Why You Do Not Need Python or Command Line on Windows

Many guides for Excel to JSON conversion on Windows recommend installing Python and using openpyxl or pandas. That approach works, but it requires:

• Downloading and installing Python (100MB+)
• Opening a terminal and running pip install commands
• Writing or copying a script
• Running the script from the correct directory

A browser-based converter skips all of that. If you just need the JSON output and do not need to automate the process, the browser tool is faster for one-off conversions.

When Python is still the right choice: If you need to convert Excel files automatically on a schedule, process hundreds of files in batch, or integrate conversion into a larger script, Python is the better tool.

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Saving and Using the JSON Output on Windows

After converting, you have two options:

Copy to clipboard: Use the Copy JSON button and paste directly into any Windows application — Notepad, VS Code, PowerShell, a REST client, or a database tool.

Download as file: The Download JSON button saves a .json file to your Downloads folder. To open it, right-click and choose "Open with" — Notepad, VS Code, or any text editor works.

Tip for Windows users: If you plan to use the JSON in VS Code, open VS Code, drag and drop the downloaded .json file into the editor, and press Alt+Shift+F to auto-format it for readability.

Date Format Issues Specific to Excel on Windows

Excel on Windows stores dates as serial numbers (day 1 = January 1, 1900). When you convert to JSON, date cells may appear as numbers like 45000 rather than readable dates like 2023-03-12.

The browser-based converter attempts to auto-detect and convert date columns. If a date still appears as a serial number in your JSON, the cell was likely formatted as a general number rather than a date in the original Excel file.

Fix: In Excel, select the column, right-click, format cells as "Date," save, then re-upload. The converter will then recognize it as a date value.

For a deeper explanation of this issue, see our post on Excel date format issues in JSON conversion.

Windows Alternative: Power Automate for Automated Conversion

If you work in a Microsoft 365 environment on Windows, Power Automate Desktop can automate Excel-to-JSON conversion as part of a larger workflow — reading files from SharePoint, transforming data, and posting to an API.

This is a more complex setup suited for recurring business workflows, not one-off conversions. For individual use, the browser-based converter remains the fastest option.

See our comparison: Excel to JSON with Power Automate vs browser tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I convert Excel to JSON on Windows without installing anything?

Yes. A browser-based converter works in Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome on Windows with no installation. Your file is processed locally in the browser and never uploaded to any server.

How do I convert Excel to JSON on Windows 11?

Open Edge or Chrome, navigate to the Excel to JSON converter, upload your .xlsx file, and click Download JSON. The file saves to your Downloads folder. No Python, Node.js, or other software required.

Does the Excel to JSON converter work on Windows 10?

Yes. The browser-based converter works on Windows 10 in Edge, Chrome, and Firefox. The process is identical to Windows 11.

Why do dates show as numbers when I convert Excel to JSON on Windows?

Excel stores dates as serial numbers internally. The converter auto-converts most date columns, but if a cell is formatted as a general number rather than a date in Excel, it appears as a serial number in the JSON output. Format the column as Date in Excel and re-convert to fix it.