Convert JSON to TSV on Mac
Select the JSON files in Finder, press ⌥ F, choose TSV and press Return. FileFlip saves each TSV next to its original and works without an internet connection.
How to convert JSON to TSV with FileFlip
Select the JSON files
In Finder or on the Desktop. One file, or a whole folder with ⌘ A.
Press ⌥ F
FileFlip opens next to the selection and lists the formats it can make from JSON. Type “TSV” to jump to it.
Choose TSV and press Return
The TSV files appear next to the originals with the same names. The JSON files stay as they are.
JSON and TSV
JSON doesn’t open in spreadsheet apps, which want a flat table. TSV avoids trouble with commas inside values and pastes cleanly into spreadsheets.
What changes when you convert
- TSV is a flat table, so JSON converts most cleanly when it’s a list of objects with the same keys.
| Property | JSON | TSV |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | JavaScript Object Notation | Tab-separated values |
| Best for | Data for code, web APIs and apps | Tables with commas in the data; pasting into spreadsheets |
| Opens in | Every programming language and code editor | Excel, Numbers, Google Sheets and most data tools |
| File extension | .json | .tsv |
| In FileFlip | Opens and saves | Opens and saves |
Other ways on a Mac
For one file now and then you may not need FileFlip. These work with what’s already on your Mac.
Terminal
Recent macOS versions include jq; check with jq --version. For a list of flat objects:
jq -r '(.[0] | keys_unsorted) as $k | $k,
(.[] | [.[$k[]]]) | @tsv' customers.json > customers.tsvNested values need extra work.
Questions about JSON and TSV
Can I convert many JSON files at once?
Yes. Select them all in Finder, press ⌥ F and choose TSV. Progress moves to the menu bar, so you can close the panel and keep working.
Where is the TSV file saved?
Next to the original, with the same name and the .tsv extension. The JSON file isn’t changed. In Settings you can choose a different folder instead.
Can I convert TSV back to JSON?
Yes, FileFlip converts TSV to JSON as well.
Are my files uploaded anywhere?
No. FileFlip converts files on your Mac and works with the internet turned off.
Convert a folder of data files at once
FileFlip also handles images, camera raw files, video, audio, PDFs and documents. Requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later.
Coming soon for Mac