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

ByChaknith Bin

December 22, 2020

Updated  June 1, 2025

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IronXL can convert any Excel file into various formats.

These formats include: JSON, CSV, XML, and even older Excel formats 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:

using IronXL;

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

    // Set metadata title for the workbook
    workbook.Metadata.Title = "Normal_Excel_File.xlsx";

    // Save the workbook in different formats
    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");

    // Convert the workbook to a DataSet, allowing integration with other data tools like DataGridView
    System.Data.DataSet dataSet = workbook.ToDataSet();

    // Bind the dataset to a data grid view control for display
    dataGridView1.DataSource = dataSet;
    dataGridView1.DataMember = "Sheet1";
}

using IronXL;

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

    // Set metadata title for the workbook
    workbook.Metadata.Title = "Normal_Excel_File.xlsx";

    // Save the workbook in different formats
    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");

    // Convert the workbook to a DataSet, allowing integration with other data tools like DataGridView
    System.Data.DataSet dataSet = workbook.ToDataSet();

    // Bind the dataset to a data grid view control for display
    dataGridView1.DataSource = dataSet;
    dataGridView1.DataMember = "Sheet1";
}

Imports IronXL

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

	' Set metadata title for the workbook
	workbook.Metadata.Title = "Normal_Excel_File.xlsx"

	' Save the workbook in different formats
	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")

	' Convert the workbook to a DataSet, allowing integration with other data tools like DataGridView
	Dim dataSet As System.Data.DataSet = workbook.ToDataSet()

	' Bind the dataset to a data grid view control for display
	dataGridView1.DataSource = dataSet
	dataGridView1.DataMember = "Sheet1"
End Sub

The code above loads an ordinary XLSX file, adds a Title, then converts it 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.

Figure 1 - CSV File Export

Figure 2 - XML Export

Figure 3 - JSON Export

Figure 4 - XLS Export

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

Chaknith Bin

  Chat with engineering team now

Software Engineer

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.