Updated October 20, 2024
Share:

How to Convert XLSX to CSV, JSON, XML and more in C#

IronXL can convert any Excel file into various formats.

These formats include: JSON, CSV, XML and even older the Excel format such as XLS.

This brief article will show you how to use IronXL to convert to XML, convert to CSV, convert to JSON and as a bonus, show you how to output an Excel worksheet as a dataset.


Step 1

1. Install the IronXL Library Free

First, you must have IronXL installed before you can use it in your applications. The following two methods allow you to install IronXL.

Download: https://ironsoftware.com/csharp/excel/docs/

Or use the NuGet Package Manager

  • Right click the Solution name in Solution Explorer
  • Click Manage NuGet Packages
  • Browse for IronXL.Excel
  • Install
Install-Package IronXL.Excel

How to Tutorial

2. Convert to XML, JSON, CSV, XLS

Now you are ready.

Add the following code:

/**
Convert to several formats
anchor-convert-to-xml-json-csv-xls
**/
using IronXL;

private void button7_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    WorkBook workbook = WorkBook.Load("Normal_Excel_File.xlsx");

    workbook.Metadata.Title = "Normal_Excel_File.xlsx";

    workbook.SaveAs("XLS_Export.xls");
    workbook.SaveAs("XLSX_Export.xlsx");
    workbook.SaveAsCsv("CSV_Export.csv");
    workbook.SaveAsJson("JSON_Export.json");
    workbook.SaveAsXml("XML_Export.xml");

    System.Data.DataSet dataSet = workbook.ToDataSet();

    dataGridView1.DataSource = dataSet;
    dataGridView1.DataMember = "Sheet1";
}
/**
Convert to several formats
anchor-convert-to-xml-json-csv-xls
**/
using IronXL;

private void button7_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    WorkBook workbook = WorkBook.Load("Normal_Excel_File.xlsx");

    workbook.Metadata.Title = "Normal_Excel_File.xlsx";

    workbook.SaveAs("XLS_Export.xls");
    workbook.SaveAs("XLSX_Export.xlsx");
    workbook.SaveAsCsv("CSV_Export.csv");
    workbook.SaveAsJson("JSON_Export.json");
    workbook.SaveAsXml("XML_Export.xml");

    System.Data.DataSet dataSet = workbook.ToDataSet();

    dataGridView1.DataSource = dataSet;
    dataGridView1.DataMember = "Sheet1";
}
'''
'''Convert to several formats
'''anchor-convert-to-xml-json-csv-xls
'''*
Imports IronXL

Private Sub button7_Click(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As EventArgs)
	Dim workbook As WorkBook = WorkBook.Load("Normal_Excel_File.xlsx")

	workbook.Metadata.Title = "Normal_Excel_File.xlsx"

	workbook.SaveAs("XLS_Export.xls")
	workbook.SaveAs("XLSX_Export.xlsx")
	workbook.SaveAsCsv("CSV_Export.csv")
	workbook.SaveAsJson("JSON_Export.json")
	workbook.SaveAsXml("XML_Export.xml")

	Dim dataSet As System.Data.DataSet = workbook.ToDataSet()

	dataGridView1.DataSource = dataSet
	dataGridView1.DataMember = "Sheet1"
End Sub
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

The code above Loads an ordinary XLSX file, adds a Title, then converts to several formats. Lastly it exports the Worksheet as a DataSet that gets used by a DataGridView object.

The various files exported are shown below.

CSV File Export
Figure 1 - CSV File Export
XML Export
Figure 2 - XML Export
JSON Export
Figure 3 - JSON Export
XLS Export
Figure 4 - XLS Export
v
Excel Input for all exports
Figure 5 - Excel Input for all exports

Library Quick Access

IronXL API Reference Documentation

Learn more and share how to merge, unmerge, and work with cells in Excel spreadsheets using the handy IronXL API Reference Documentation.

IronXL API Reference Documentation
Documentation related to 2. Convert to XML, JSON, CSV, XLS
Chaknith Bin

Chaknith Bin

Software Engineer

 LinkedIn

Chaknith works on IronXL and IronBarcode. He has deep expertise in C# and .NET, helping improve the software and support customers. His insights from user interactions contribute to better products, documentation, and overall experience.