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How do I turn an Excel file into a REST API?

Quick answer

Upload your Excel .xlsx file to SheetZAPI's dashboard. SheetZAPI reads the first row as column names, auto-casts numeric and boolean values, and instantly exposes your data as a REST API with full CRUD operations, filtering, sorting, and Redis caching. No database migration, no coding required.

Why Excel-to-API is useful

Many organizations have years of operational data locked in Excel files — product catalogs, price lists, inventory records, event rosters. Exposing that data to a web app, mobile app, or automation tool normally requires importing into a database and writing an API layer. SheetZAPI skips both steps: upload the file and your data is immediately accessible via REST.

What file formats are supported?

SheetZAPI accepts Excel files in .xlsx format (Excel 2007+). The first worksheet is used as the data source. The first row must contain column headers — these become the JSON field names. Data starts from row 2. Numeric values (integers and decimals), boolean-looking strings (TRUE/FALSE, Yes/No), and dates are automatically cast to their native types.

Updating Excel data without re-uploading

After upload, you can add, update, and delete rows via the API's POST, PATCH, and DELETE endpoints — the changes persist in SheetZAPI's storage. You can also re-upload a new version of the file to replace all data at once. Your API URL and API key remain the same after a re-upload.

Filtering and querying Excel data via API

Use URL query parameters: ?_filter=category:eq:electronics returns matching rows. ?_sort=-price sorts by price descending. ?_search=widget does full-text search across all string fields. ?_fields=id,name,price returns only those columns. ?_limit=50&_offset=100 paginates. All filtering is handled server-side — you don't download the whole file to query it.

Frequently asked questions

How do I create a REST API from an Excel file?

Upload your .xlsx file to SheetZAPI. Your data is instantly available as a REST API with filtering, sorting, pagination, and caching. No coding required.

Can I update my Excel data via API without re-uploading?

Yes. POST to /rows to add data, PATCH /rows/:id to update, DELETE /rows/:id to remove. Changes persist in SheetZAPI without touching your original file.

Does SheetZAPI work with .xls files (older Excel format)?

SheetZAPI supports .xlsx (Excel 2007+). For older .xls files, open the file in Excel or LibreOffice and save as .xlsx before uploading.

What happens to my API if I re-upload a new Excel file?

Your API URL and API key stay the same. The data is replaced with the new file's contents. Existing integrations continue working without any configuration changes.

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