# CSV to JSON Converter - Convert CSV by URL or Text API (`eliai/csv-to-json`) Actor Convert CSV to JSON via API - from a file URL or pasted raw text (fields: url or csv). Auto-detects delimiter (comma, tab, semicolon, pipe), types values (numbers, booleans, dates), handles quoted fields. Returns JSON records + column/type report. Sync run for agents and pipelines. $0.02 per file. - **URL**: https://apify.com/eliai/csv-to-json.md - **Developed by:** [Anthony Snider](https://apify.com/eliai) (community) - **Categories:** Developer tools, Automation - **Stats:** 3 total users, 2 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing $20.00 / 1,000 file converteds This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events. Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event ## What's an Apify Actor? Actors are a software tools running on the Apify platform, for all kinds of web data extraction and automation use cases. In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours, and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store. In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server. Actors are written with capital "A". ## How to integrate an Actor? If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects. You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready. The best way to integrate Actors is as follows. In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js.md): ```bash npm install apify-client ``` In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python.md): ```bash pip install apify-client ``` In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): ````bash # MacOS / Linux curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash # Windows irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex ```bash In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/mcp.md). If your project is in a different language, use the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md). For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below. For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt). # README ## CSV to JSON Converter Convert CSV to JSON in one call: give it a CSV file URL or paste raw CSV text, and get back a clean JSON array of typed records — delimiter auto-detected, numbers/booleans/dates typed, quoted fields handled correctly. Use it from the web UI, call it as a plain HTTP API (sync run-and-return: one request in, JSON out), or wire it into an agent as an Apify MCP tool. ### Common use cases - **Convert a CSV file to JSON via API** — no library to install, no local script; works from any language or a single `curl`. - **Parse a CSV export into JSON records** — Google Sheets / Excel "save as CSV", Shopify, Stripe, or analytics exports, straight into a pipeline. - **Feed spreadsheet data to an LLM or agent** — agents get typed JSON rows plus a column/type report instead of raw CSV text. - **Normalize messy CSVs** — semicolon-, tab-, or pipe-delimited files and quoted fields with embedded commas or newlines parse correctly. - **Preview a dataset's schema** — get the column list and inferred type per column before ingesting. ### Features - **Auto delimiter detection** — comma, tab, semicolon, or pipe; no config needed. - **Type inference** — numbers, booleans, and dates are typed automatically (everything else stays a string). - **Quoted fields handled** — embedded commas, newlines, and quotes parse correctly. - **URL or raw text** — fetch a remote CSV (`url`) or paste it inline (`csv`). - **Column + type report** — the column list and inferred type per column come back alongside the rows. ### Input Fetch a CSV by URL: ```json { "url": "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/datablist/sample-csv-files/main/files/organizations/organizations-100.csv", "header": true, "maxRows": 50000 } ```` Or paste raw CSV text instead (field name is `csv`): ```json { "csv": "name,age,active\nAda,36,true\nGrace,42,false", "delimiter": "" } ``` If both `url` and `csv` are given, the URL wins. Leave `delimiter` empty to auto-detect. Set `header: false` to get generated column names (`column_1`, `column_2`, …). ### Output One result object in the dataset: ```json { "source": "inline-csv", "rowCount": 2, "columns": ["name", "age", "active"], "types": { "name": "string", "age": "number", "active": "boolean" }, "delimiter": ",", "rows": [ { "name": "Ada", "age": 36, "active": true }, { "name": "Grace", "age": 42, "active": false } ] } ``` On a bad input (unreachable URL, empty CSV) you get `{ "source": ..., "error": "..." }` instead — no charge for failed conversions. ### Call it as an API ```bash curl -X POST "https://api.apify.com/v2/acts/eliai~csv-to-json/run-sync-get-dataset-items?token=YOUR_APIFY_TOKEN" \ -H "Content-Type: application/json" \ -d '{"csv": "name,age\nAda,36"}' ``` The response body is the JSON result shown above — no polling needed. ### Pricing and limits - **$0.02 per file converted** (pay-per-event; you only pay for successful conversions). - `maxRows` defaults to 50,000 data rows; hard cap 200,000. - The `url` must be a direct link to a CSV file (not an HTML page around it). # Actor input Schema ## `url` (type: `string`): A direct URL to a CSV file to fetch and convert. ## `csv` (type: `string`): Paste raw CSV text instead of a URL. If both are given, the URL is used. ## `delimiter` (type: `string`): Field delimiter. Leave empty to auto-detect (comma, tab, semicolon, pipe). ## `header` (type: `boolean`): Treat the first row as column names. If off, columns are named column\_1, column\_2, ... ## `maxRows` (type: `integer`): Maximum number of data rows to include in the output. ## Actor input object example ```json { "url": "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/datablist/sample-csv-files/main/files/organizations/organizations-100.csv", "header": true, "maxRows": 50000 } ``` # API You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup. ## JavaScript example ```javascript import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client'; // Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token // Replace the '' with your token const client = new ApifyClient({ token: '', }); // Prepare Actor input const input = { "url": "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/datablist/sample-csv-files/main/files/organizations/organizations-100.csv" }; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("eliai/csv-to-json").call(input); // Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any) console.log('Results from dataset'); console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`); const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems(); items.forEach((item) => { console.dir(item); }); // 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs ``` ## Python example ```python from apify_client import ApifyClient # Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token # Replace '' with your token. client = ApifyClient("") # Prepare the Actor input run_input = { "url": "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/datablist/sample-csv-files/main/files/organizations/organizations-100.csv" } # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("eliai/csv-to-json").call(run_input=run_input) # Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any) print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"]) for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items(): print(item) # 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start ``` ## CLI example ```bash echo '{ "url": "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/datablist/sample-csv-files/main/files/organizations/organizations-100.csv" }' | apify call eliai/csv-to-json --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=eliai/csv-to-json", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "CSV to JSON Converter - Convert CSV by URL or Text API", "description": "Convert CSV to JSON via API - from a file URL or pasted raw text (fields: url or csv). Auto-detects delimiter (comma, tab, semicolon, pipe), types values (numbers, booleans, dates), handles quoted fields. Returns JSON records + column/type report. Sync run for agents and pipelines. $0.02 per file.", "version": "0.1", "x-build-id": "NSgvaZVYKp1dx6xjL" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/eliai~csv-to-json/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-eliai-csv-to-json", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/eliai~csv-to-json/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-eliai-csv-to-json", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK", "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/eliai~csv-to-json/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-eliai-csv-to-json", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } } }, "components": { "schemas": { "inputSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "url": { "title": "CSV URL", "type": "string", "description": "A direct URL to a CSV file to fetch and convert." }, "csv": { "title": "Raw CSV text", "type": "string", "description": "Paste raw CSV text instead of a URL. If both are given, the URL is used." }, "delimiter": { "title": "Delimiter", "type": "string", "description": "Field delimiter. Leave empty to auto-detect (comma, tab, semicolon, pipe)." }, "header": { "title": "First row is header", "type": "boolean", "description": "Treat the first row as column names. If off, columns are named column_1, column_2, ...", "default": true }, "maxRows": { "title": "Max rows", "minimum": 1, "maximum": 200000, "type": "integer", "description": "Maximum number of data rows to include in the output.", "default": 50000 } } }, "runsResponseSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "data": { "type": "object", "properties": { "id": { "type": "string" }, "actId": { "type": "string" }, "userId": { "type": "string" }, "startedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "finishedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "status": { "type": "string", "example": "READY" }, "meta": { "type": "object", "properties": { "origin": { "type": "string", "example": "API" }, "userAgent": { "type": "string" } } }, "stats": { "type": "object", "properties": { "inputBodyLen": { "type": "integer", "example": 2000 }, "rebootCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "restartCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "resurrectCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "computeUnits": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "options": { "type": "object", "properties": { "build": { "type": "string", "example": "latest" }, "timeoutSecs": { "type": "integer", "example": 300 }, "memoryMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 1024 }, "diskMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 2048 } } }, "buildId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultKeyValueStoreId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultDatasetId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultRequestQueueId": { "type": "string" }, "buildNumber": { "type": "string", "example": "1.0.0" }, "containerUrl": { "type": "string" }, "usage": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 1 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "usageTotalUsd": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "usageUsd": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } } } } } } } } } ```