Convert JSON to Excel using n8n action

PDF4me Convert JSON to Excel transforms structured JSON data into professional Excel spreadsheets through n8n automation workflows. Process JSON data via n8n triggers to generate Excel files with intelligent column mapping, automatic header detection, nested object handling, array formatting, data type preservation, and multi-sheet support for complex data structures. This solution is ideal for API data exports, database reporting, analytics dashboards, data migration, business intelligence workflows, and automated spreadsheet generation that require accurate JSON parsing with professional Excel formatting and seamless integration.

Setup

Add the PDF4me "Convert JSON to Excel" node to your n8n workflow and configure the required parameters. For initial setup instructions, see our n8n Integration Guide.

Prerequisites:

• PDF4me API credentials
• n8n workflow access

Get Your API Key

Configuration:

1. Add PDF4me node to workflow
2. Select "Convert JSON to Excel" action
3. Configure input parameters (see below)

Parameters

Complete list of parameters for the Convert JSON to Excel action. Configure these parameters to control JSON to Excel conversion.

Important: Parameters marked with an asterisk (***) are required and must be provided for the action to function correctly.

Parameter	Type	Description	Example
Input Data Type***	String	JSON Input Format Selection • Choose the format of your JSON data input • PDF4me supports three input types • Options: JSON String, Binary Data, or Base64 String	JSON String
JSON Content	String	JSON Data Input (Required if JSON String) • Provide the JSON data to be converted into Excel format • PDF4me's parsing engine handles complex JSON structures • Required when Input Data Type is "JSON String"	[{"name": "John", "age": 30}]
Input Binary Field	Binary	Binary JSON File Input (Required if Binary Data) • Reference JSON file from previous n8n node or file upload • PDF4me processes binary JSON files with automatic format detection • Required when Input Data Type is "Binary Data"	{{ $binary.data }}
Base64 JSON Content	String	Base64 Encoded JSON Input (Required if Base64 String) • Provide JSON data as base64 encoded string • PDF4me automatically decodes and processes the JSON content • Required when Input Data Type is "Base64 String"	eyJuYW1lIjoiSm9obiJ9
Output File Name***	String	Excel Output Filename • Specify the name for the generated Excel file • Must include .xlsx extension • PDF4me ensures unique naming and format validation	converted_data.xlsx
Document Name***	String	Document Identifier • Define the document name for internal processing • Used for reference within PDF4me conversion engine • Helps with processing tracking	output
Worksheet Name***	String	Excel Worksheet Name • Specify the name for the primary worksheet in Excel file • PDF4me creates organized worksheets with proper naming • Improves spreadsheet organization	Sheet1
Binary Data Output Name***	String	Binary Data Output Mapping • Define the variable name for accessing generated Excel binary data • Used in subsequent workflow actions • Essential for workflow automation	data

Advanced Options

The following parameters are available in the Advanced Options section and are optional:

Parameter	Type	Description	Example
Custom Profiles	String	Custom Configuration Profiles • Set additional options using custom profiles • JSON-like format containing predefined parameters • Enables advanced Excel generation settings • Optional for specialized requirements	{ "outputDataFormat": "base64" }
Convert Numbers and Dates	Boolean	Data Type Conversion • Enable automatic conversion to number and date formats • PDF4me's intelligent parsing detects patterns • Ensures proper Excel formatting • Optional enhancement	true
Date Format	String	Date Formatting Pattern • Specify the date format pattern for Excel • Supports standard date format patterns • Ensures consistent date representation • Optional customization	01/01/2025
First Column	Number	First Column Index • Define the column index where data should start • PDF4me uses this for proper data positioning • Default is 1 • Optional positioning	1
First Row	Number	First Row Index • Specify the row index where data should start • PDF4me positions data correctly in spreadsheet • Default is 1 • Optional positioning	1
Ignore Null Values	Boolean	Null Value Handling • Control whether null/empty values should be included • Skips null values to create cleaner spreadsheets • Optional data filtering	true
Number Format	String	Number Formatting Style • Select number format style for numeric values • Options: General, Number, Currency, Percentage, Scientific • Ensures proper Excel formatting • Optional customization	Scientific (11)
Title Bold	Boolean	Title Formatting • Enable bold formatting for column headers • Applies professional formatting for readability • Improves spreadsheet appearance • Optional enhancement	true
Title Wrap Text	Boolean	Text Wrapping Control • Enable text wrapping for column headers in Excel cells • Ensures long headers display properly without truncation • Improves readability • Optional enhancement	true

Output

Output Parameters

Parameter	Type	Description	Example
data	Binary	PDF4me Excel binary data - The generated Excel file as binary data that can be used in subsequent n8n workflow actions. This binary data contains the complete Excel file with all worksheets and formatting	Binary data object
File Name	String	PDF4me generated Excel filename - The complete filename of the successfully generated Excel document with proper .xlsx extension. PDF4me ensures unique naming and validates file format compliance for seamless integration with downstream processes	converted_data.xlsx
File Extension	String	PDF4me Excel file extension - The file extension of the generated Excel file, indicating the specific Excel format used for the output	xlsx
Mime Type	String	PDF4me MIME type identifier - The standardized MIME type for the generated Excel file, always set to application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet by PDF4me's conversion engine. This ensures proper file handling and recognition across all systems and applications	application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet
File Size	String	PDF4me Excel file size - The size of the generated Excel file in a human-readable format. PDF4me provides file size information for workflow optimization and storage planning	7.62 kB

N8N Action Response

The PDF4me Convert JSON to Excel API returns a response that can be viewed in multiple formats. Choose the view that best fits your needs:

JSON

JSON Response Format

The raw JSON response from the API:

[
  {
    "data": "Binary data object",
    "File Name": "converted_data.xlsx",
    "File Extension": "xlsx",
    "Mime Type": "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet",
    "File Size": "7.62 kB"
  }
]

Table

Table View

Response data in a structured table format:

Parameter	Value
data	Binary data object
File Name	converted_data.xlsx
File Extension	xlsx
Mime Type	application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet
File Size	7.62 kB

Schema

Schema View

The data structure and types of the response:

1 item
data: Binary data object
File Name: AB converted_data.xlsx
File Extension: AB xlsx
Mime Type: AB application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet
File Size: AB 7.62 kB

Type Indicators:

• AB = String
• # = Number
• ☑ = Boolean

Binary

Binary Data View

The actual Excel file data and metadata:

data
─────────────────────────────
File Name: converted_data.xlsx
File Extension: xlsx
Mime Type: application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet
File Size: 7.62 kB

Binary Data Access:

• n8n Binary Object: $binary.data.data
• Base64 Content: Available for direct use
• File Operations: Ready for download, email, or storage

Use Cases

API Data Analysis and Business Intelligence

• Convert JSON data from APIs, web services, and databases to Excel format for data analysis, reporting, and business intelligence applications
• Process JSON responses from CRM systems, marketing platforms, and analytics tools by converting them to Excel format for data visualization and trend analysis
• Transform JSON data from IoT devices, sensors, and monitoring systems to Excel format for performance analysis, reporting, and operational insights

Data Migration and System Integration

• Convert JSON data exports from legacy systems, databases, and applications to Excel format for data migration, system integration, and data consolidation
• Process JSON configuration files, settings, and metadata by converting them to Excel format for documentation, analysis, and system administration
• Transform JSON log files, audit trails, and system data to Excel format for compliance reporting, troubleshooting, and system monitoring

Research and Analytics Applications

• Convert JSON research data, survey responses, and experimental results to Excel format for statistical analysis, data visualization, and research collaboration
• Process JSON data from social media APIs, web scraping, and data collection tools by converting them to Excel format for market research and analytics
• Transform JSON data from scientific instruments, laboratory equipment, and research platforms to Excel format for data analysis, reporting, and academic research

Get Help

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