How to Export Wunderlist Tasks to Excel

Edited 2 months ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Wunderlist was a popular task manager and to-do list application that helped people organize their tasks. However, the service was eventually replaced by Microsoft To Do, leaving many users searching for ways to export their tasks to other formats such as Microsoft Excel. Excel, being a versatile tool, allows users to efficiently manage, analyze, and visualize data. This guide provides a comprehensive step-by-step process to export Wunderlist tasks to Excel format for better accessibility and organization.

Understanding the need for exports

The choice to export tasks from Wunderlist to Excel stems from the need to maintain an organized task database outside of the application. While mobile and web applications like Wunderlist were excellent for task management on the go, Microsoft Excel offers more flexibility in terms of data manipulation, visualization through charts and graphs, and integration into larger workflows.

Preparing for export

Before you proceed with the export process, make sure you have a few pre-requisites:

1. A valid Wunderlist account with tasks that need to be exported.
2. A personal computer with internet facility.
3. You must have equivalent spreadsheet software like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets installed on your PC.
4. An alternative JSON to CSV converter tool may be required.

Steps to export Wunderlist tasks

The following steps will guide you through exporting tasks from Wunderlist to Excel:

Step 1: Export tasks from Wunderlist

First, you need to export tasks from Wunderlist. Follow these steps:

• Log in to your Wunderlist account on your web browser or desktop application.
• The export option will usually be available when you go to the "Settings" or "Preferences" section.
• If available, select "Export" or "Backup," which will typically generate a JSON file. JSON, or JavaScript Object Notation, is a lightweight data-interchange format that is easy to read and write.
• Save this JSON file to a convenient location on your computer.

Step 2: Convert JSON to CSV

Since Wunderlist exports tasks in JSON format, it is necessary to convert this JSON file into a format that Excel can easily manage, such as CSV (comma separated values).

Here's how to convert JSON to CSV:

• Use an online JSON to CSV converter. Websites like json-csv.com provide these services.
• Open the previously saved JSON file by uploading it to the JSON to CSV converter tool.
• Follow the on-screen directions to configure any necessary settings (depending on the tool, some may allow column selection). Then click the "Convert" button.
• Wait for the conversion to finish, then download the resulting CSV file.

For tech-savvy users, a programmatic way using scripts may be convenient. Below is an example using Python:

import json
import csv

# Load the JSON file
with open('wunderlist_backup.json', 'r') as json_file:
    data = json.load(json_file)

# Open a CSV file for writing
with open('wunderlist_tasks.csv', 'w', newline='') as csv_file:
    csv_writer = csv.writer(csv_file)

    # Assuming JSON is a list of dictionaries
    header = data[0].keys()
    csv_writer.writerow(header)
    for entry in data:
        csv_writer.writerow(entry.values())

In this Python example, the script reads the contents of a JSON file and writes them to a CSV file. Please modify `'wunderlist_backup.json'` to your own file name.

Step 3: Import CSV to Excel

Once your CSV file is ready, the next thing to do is to import it into Excel:

• Open Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets on your computer.
• Go to "File" > "Open" (or "Import" in Google Sheets) and select your CSV file.
• For Excel 365 or Excel 2019, select the "Data" tab, then click "From Text/CSV" to import the data.
• A dialog box may appear, previewing how Excel will display your data. Confirm that the data appears correctly in the columns and click "Load" or "Import."
• Excel will now display your work systematically in rows and columns, allowing you to perform further data manipulation or analysis.

Organizing data in Excel

Once your tasks are loaded into Excel, take the time to organize them properly. Consider the following tips:

• Filtering and sorting: Use Excel's sorting feature to organize tasks by priority or due date. This can help prioritize tasks efficiently.
• Conditional Formatting: Apply conditional formatting to highlight overdue tasks or important deadlines for better readability.
• Create a pivot table: Use a pivot table to create a report that summarizes tasks by category, date, or status.
• Charts and graphs: Visualize tasks and their statuses using charts and graphs. This approach is both informative and visually appealing.

Troubleshooting common problems

Although the process should be simple, the following tips may help resolve common problems:

• If the JSON file doesn't convert, double-check its formatting and look for syntax errors.
• If expected columns are missing in Excel, ensure that the JSON structure allows for proper conversion.
• If Excel displays the wrong data format, adjust Excel's data type settings (date, number, etc.) per column.

Additional tips

Here are a few more tips to optimize the entire process:

• Regularly update your task list in Excel as new tasks are added or completed in the external application.
• If tasks need to be updated frequently, consider VBA scripts for further automation.
• Explore Microsoft's PowerQuery for advanced data import and manipulation.

These tasks might seem overwhelming at first, but doing them in an organized manner will make your data better accessible and manageable outside of the confines of specific applications like Wunderlist.

Conclusion

Exporting tasks from Wunderlist to Excel can enhance the ability to effectively manage and analyze task-oriented data. By leveraging Excel's powerful features, users can prioritize tasks, visualize them, and seamlessly integrate them into larger productivity systems. Although the conversion and import/export processes may initially seem daunting, this guide is intended to serve as an easy-to-follow roadmap for achieving a seamless data transition.

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