How to Open GSTR-1 JSON File - Complete Guide 2026

What is a GSTR-1 JSON File?

GSTR-1 JSON files are structured data files downloaded from the GST portal containing all your outward supply details for a tax period. These files include B2B invoices, B2C sales, exports, and other transaction details in JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) format.

While JSON is a standard data format, many users find it difficult to read or analyze directly, which is why converting it to Excel is often necessary.

Why Can’t I Open GSTR-1 JSON Files Normally?

JSON files are plain text files, but they’re not designed for human readability in their raw form. Opening them in a regular text editor shows nested data structures that are hard to interpret, especially for files with thousands of invoices.

Common Issues:

• Text editors show unformatted code-like text
• Excel can’t directly import JSON with complex nested structures
• Manual conversion is time-consuming and error-prone

Step-by-Step: How to Open GSTR-1 JSON File

Method 1: Convert to Excel (Recommended)

The easiest way to work with GSTR-1 JSON files is converting them to Excel format:

1. Download your GSTR-1 JSON from the GST portal
2. Visit our free converter at GST JSON to Excel Converter
3. Upload your JSON file - drag and drop or click to select
4. Automatic processing - the tool validates and extracts all data
5. Download Excel file - get a formatted spreadsheet with all invoices

The converted Excel file includes:

• Invoice numbers and dates
• Customer GSTIN details
• Taxable amounts
• GST breakup (IGST, CGST, SGST)
• HSN codes
• Summary totals

Method 2: View in Text Editor

If you just want to inspect the raw JSON:

1. Right-click the JSON file
2. Select “Open With” → “Text Editor” (Notepad, VS Code, etc.)
3. Look for key sections like "b2b", "b2cl", "b2cs"

This method is useful for quick checks but not practical for data analysis.

Method 3: Use JSON Viewer Tools

Online JSON viewers can format the data for better readability, but they require uploading your file to third-party websites, which raises privacy concerns for sensitive GST data.

Understanding GSTR-1 JSON Structure

A typical GSTR-1 JSON file contains these main sections:

{
  "gstin": "29AABCT1332L000",
  "fp": "032024",
  "b2b": [...],     // B2B invoices
  "b2cl": [...],    // B2C Large invoices
  "b2cs": [...],    // B2C Small invoices
  "cdnr": [...],    // Credit/Debit notes
  "exp": [...]      // Exports
}

Each section contains arrays of transactions with nested details about invoices, items, and tax amounts.

Converting GSTR-1 JSON to Excel - Best Practices

When converting your JSON to Excel, ensure:

✅ File integrity - Use the exact file downloaded from GST portal
✅ No manual editing - Don’t modify JSON before conversion
✅ Validation - Check for syntax errors if conversion fails
✅ Privacy - Use tools that process files locally in your browser

Our GSTR-1 to Excel converter processes everything in your browser without uploading data to any server.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

”File Won’t Open” or “Invalid JSON”

Causes:

• Incomplete download from GST portal
• File corruption during transfer
• Manual editing that broke JSON syntax

Solution: Re-download the file from GST portal. If the issue persists, validate the JSON syntax using a validator.

”No Data Extracted”

Causes:

• Empty return (no transactions in that period)
• Different JSON format (GSTR-2B instead of GSTR-1)

Solution: Verify you downloaded the correct return type. Check the file size - very small files might be empty.

”Large File Takes Too Long”

Causes:

• Thousands of invoices in one file
• Low system memory

Solution: Use a desktop-based converter or try splitting the data by filing period if possible.

Why Convert JSON to Excel?

Advantages of Excel Format:

1. Easy analysis - Sort, filter, pivot tables
2. Data validation - Cross-check with your records
3. Reconciliation - Match with purchase register (GSTR-2B)
4. Sharing - Send to accountants or auditors
5. Reporting - Create custom reports and charts

Free Tools for GSTR-1 JSON Conversion

Our free online tool offers:

• ✅ Instant conversion - Process files in seconds
• ✅ No registration - No sign-up required
• ✅ 100% privacy - Files processed locally in your browser
• ✅ All sections covered - B2B, B2CL, B2CS, CDN, Exports
• ✅ Clean formatting - Organized Excel sheets with proper headers
• ✅ No file size limits - Handle large files up to 50MB

Try the converter now →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I edit the JSON file before converting?

Not recommended. Any syntax error will make the file invalid. Always convert the original downloaded file.

Is my data safe when converting online?

With our tool, yes. All processing happens in your browser using JavaScript. Your file never leaves your device.

Can I convert GSTR-2B JSON the same way?

Yes! Our tool automatically detects GSTR-2B format and extracts purchase invoice details, ITC information, and credit notes.

What if Excel shows garbled characters?

This usually indicates encoding issues. Try opening the Excel file with “UTF-8” encoding or re-download the JSON from the portal.

Conclusion

Opening and working with GSTR-1 JSON files doesn’t have to be complicated. Converting to Excel format gives you the flexibility to analyze, validate, and share your GST data efficiently.

Use our free GST JSON to Excel converter to transform your GSTR-1 files into user-friendly spreadsheets in seconds - no technical skills required.

Quick Summary:

• JSON files store GST return data in structured format
• Direct viewing is difficult without conversion
• Excel conversion is the most practical solution
• Use tools that process files locally for data privacy
• Validate files before converting to avoid errors

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Ready to convert your GSTR-1 JSON files? Start converting now →