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CSV to JSON

csv_to_json

Convert CSV data to typed JSON with automatic delimiter detection, header parsing, and value type casting for processing spreadsheet exports.

Instructions

Convert CSV data to typed JSON. Auto-detects delimiters, uses the first row as headers, and casts values to proper types (numbers, booleans, nulls). Use when processing spreadsheet exports or any CSV-formatted data.

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
csvYesThe CSV content to convert
delimiterNoColumn delimiterauto
hasHeaderNoWhether the first row contains column names
typeCastNoAuto-convert values to proper types
limitNoMax rows to return

Implementation Reference

  • The handler function for csv_to_json that parses CSV content into JSON using papaparse and performs type casting and column inference.
    async function handler(input: Input) {
      const { csv, delimiter, hasHeader, typeCast, limit, skipEmptyRows } = input;
    
      const result = Papa.parse<string[]>(csv, {
        delimiter: delimiter === "auto" ? "" : delimiter,
        header: false,
        skipEmptyLines: skipEmptyRows,
      });
    
      if (result.errors.length > 0) {
        const fatal = result.errors.find((e) => e.type === "Delimiter" || result.data.length === 0);
        if (fatal) {
          return {
            success: false,
            error: result.errors[0].message,
            rows: [],
            headers: [],
            rowCount: 0,
            columnCount: 0,
            columnTypes: {},
          };
        }
      }
    
      const rawRows = result.data as string[][];
      if (rawRows.length === 0) {
        return { success: true, rows: [], headers: [], rowCount: 0, columnCount: 0, columnTypes: {} };
      }
    
      // Extract headers
      let headers: string[];
      let dataRows: string[][];
    
      if (hasHeader) {
        headers = rawRows[0].map((h) => h.trim());
        dataRows = rawRows.slice(1);
      } else {
        const colCount = Math.max(...rawRows.map((r) => r.length));
        headers = Array.from({ length: colCount }, (_, i) => `col_${i + 1}`);
        dataRows = rawRows;
      }
    
      // Apply row limit
      const limitedRows = limit ? dataRows.slice(0, limit) : dataRows;
    
      // Convert to objects
      const rows: Record<string, unknown>[] = limitedRows.map((row) => {
        const obj: Record<string, unknown> = {};
        for (let i = 0; i < headers.length; i++) {
          const raw = row[i] ?? "";
          obj[headers[i]] = typeCast ? castValue(raw.trim()) : raw;
        }
        return obj;
      });
    
      const columnTypes = typeCast ? inferColumnTypes(rows, headers) : {};
    
      return {
        success: true,
        rows,
        headers,
        rowCount: rows.length,
        totalRows: dataRows.length,
        columnCount: headers.length,
        columnTypes,
        ...(result.meta.delimiter && { detectedDelimiter: result.meta.delimiter }),
        ...(limit && dataRows.length > limit && { truncated: true, totalRowsAvailable: dataRows.length }),
      };
    }
  • The Zod input schema defining the parameters for the csv-to-json tool.
    const inputSchema = z.object({
      csv: z.string().min(1).max(500_000).describe("CSV content to convert"),
      delimiter: z
        .enum(["auto", ",", ";", "\t", "|"])
        .default("auto")
        .describe("Column delimiter. Use 'auto' to detect automatically"),
      hasHeader: z
        .boolean()
        .default(true)
        .describe("Whether the first row is a header row. If false, columns are named col_1, col_2, etc."),
      typeCast: z
        .boolean()
        .default(true)
        .describe("Auto-convert values to numbers, booleans, and nulls where appropriate"),
      limit: z
        .number()
        .int()
        .min(1)
        .max(10_000)
        .optional()
        .describe("Maximum number of rows to return"),
      skipEmptyRows: z
        .boolean()
        .default(true)
        .describe("Skip rows where all values are empty"),
    });
  • The tool definition registration where csvToJsonTool is defined and registered using registerTool.
    const csvToJsonTool: ToolDefinition<Input> = {
      name: "csv-to-json",
      description:
        "Convert CSV data to JSON. Supports auto-delimiter detection, header row parsing, type casting (numbers, booleans, nulls), and column type inference. Returns an array of objects with metadata.",
      version: "1.0.0",
      inputSchema,
      handler,
      metadata: {
        tags: ["csv", "json", "conversion", "data-transformation", "parsing"],
        pricing: "$0.0005 per call",
        exampleInput: {
          csv: "name,age,active,score\nAlice,30,true,98.5\nBob,25,false,72.0\nCarol,35,true,",
          delimiter: "auto",
          hasHeader: true,
          typeCast: true,
          skipEmptyRows: true,
        },
      },
    };
    
    registerTool(csvToJsonTool);
Behavior4/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

No annotations provided, so description carries full burden. It effectively discloses transformation behaviors: auto-detects delimiters, uses first row as headers, and type-casting to numbers/booleans/nulls. Missing only error-handling behavior for malformed CSV.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

Two efficiently structured sentences with zero waste. First sentence front-loads core functionality with key features; second provides usage context. No redundant or filler text.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given 5 parameters with 100% schema coverage and no output schema, the description adequately covers the transformation logic. Minor gap: lacks description of output JSON structure (array of objects vs other formats), which would help given no output schema exists.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters4/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

With 100% schema coverage, baseline is 3. The description adds value by explaining how defaults behave (auto-detection for delimiters, first row handling for headers, casting for types), connecting features to specific parameters beyond raw schema definitions.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description explicitly states 'Convert CSV data to typed JSON' with specific verb (convert) and resources (CSV to JSON). The mention of 'typed JSON' and CSV-specific processing distinguishes it from sibling conversion tools like convert_markdown.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The second sentence explicitly states 'Use when processing spreadsheet exports or any CSV-formatted data,' providing clear contextual guidance. However, it lacks explicit exclusions or named alternatives for non-CSV data formats.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

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