Common Approach logo Impact Data Converter

Common Approach Impact Data Converter

Spreadsheets into RDF and back, aligned with the Common Impact Data Standard
Convert JSON-LD to Excel template Convert Excel template to JSON-LD

The Impact Data Converter is a web application created by Common Approach.

It can be used in three ways:

  1. To convert an impact data capsule (JSON-LD file) into a Social Finance Fund template Excel spreadsheet (.xlsx file): Upload your data in an impact data capsule (JSON-LD) format, and the data converter will create an Excel file that you can download and edit. The Social Finance Fund template contents are specific to participants in Canada’s Social Finance Fund.

    Do you have a data capsule (JSON-LD) that you want to convert to an Excel template? Convert now >>
  2. To convert a Social Finance Fund template Excel spreadsheet (.xlsx file) into an impact data capsule (JSON-LD file): Upload the template to the converter, and the data converter will create an impact data capsule for you to download and send to your funder or investor, or view using the Common Impact Data Standard Airtable Extension. The Social Finance Fund template and the resulting impact data capsule file contents are specific to participants in the Government of Canada’s Social Finance Fund.

    Do you have an Excel template that you want to convert to a data capsule (JSON-LD)? Convert now >>
  3. To convert data from custom sources into an impact data capsule (JSON-LD file): Upload data from multiple custom sources (Excel, CSV, JSON, API endpoint), and the data converter will create an impact data capsule for you to download and send to your funder or investor. This option requires a developer to create a customized data transformation file that is specific to your data sources.

    This feature is being tested and expected to be available to the public by early 2026.

For support with the Impact Data Converter, please contact info@commonapproach.org.

From Impact data capsule (JSON-LD) to SFF SPO template (Excel)

Step 1: File upload & validation

Use the Browse button below to find and select your Impact data capsule (JSON-LD) file that you want to convert to a fillable SFF SPO template (Excel) template.

Step 2: File validation

Step 3: Download template

Download English SFF SPO template (Excel)
Download French SFF SPO template (Excel)

From SFF SPO template (Excel) to Impact data capsule (JSON-LD)

Step 1: Upload SFF SPO template

Use the Browse button to find and select your SFF SPO template (Excel) file.

Step 2: Choose which data to include in Impact data capsule

Select which year of data to export to Impact data capsule (JSON-LD).

Select which tab(s) of data to export to Impact data capsule (JSON-LD).

Step 3: File validation

Step 4 : Download Impact data capsule

Download Impact data capsule (JSON-LD)

Custom Transformation

If you are seeing this page, then you do not have access to any custom transformations. If you believe that you should, please contact XXXXX.

Food First NL Custom Export Module

This application allows you to convert your Google Sheet dashboard tracking data into a CIDS-aligned JSON-LD file that feeds into your Impact Dashboard.

Step 1: Upload Dashboard Tracking File

Download your dashboard tracking Google Sheet as an Excel file (.xlsx) and upload it here.

Step 2: Generate JSON-LD

Generate a CIDS-aligned JSON-LD file from your data.

Step 3: Download JSON-LD

Download the generated JSON-LD file and follow instructions to feed it into your Impact Dashboard.

Step 4: Update your Impact Dashboard

  1. Find the location of your previous JSON-LD file (should be called "ffnl.json")
  2. Replace the previous JSON-LD file with the newly generated JSON-LD file
  3. Find your Impact Dashboard Tableau workbook (should be called "ffnl.twbx")
  4. Open the workbook and navigate to the "Data" tab on the top menu
  5. Refresh the data by clicking on the "Refresh" button
  6. Wait for the data to refresh
  7. Save the workbook to Tableau Public, following the instructions provided by Purpose Analytics
  8. Verify that the data is updated in your Impact Dashboard

The SEED Custom Export Module

This application allows you to convert your data from WooCommerce, Square, and AirTable into a CIDS-aligned JSON-LD file that feeds into your Impact Dashboard.

Step 1: Upload Data Files

Existing JSON-LD
Locate your existing JSON-LD file (theseed.json) and upload it using the file selector here.
Shelldale Garden Registration
Download your Shelldale Garden Registration table from Airtable as a CSV file, then upload it using the file selector here.
Shelldale Garden Annual Survey
Download your Shelldale Garden Annual Survey table from Airtable as a CSV file, then upload it using the file selector here.

Step 2: Select Date Range

Use the date selectors below to select the start and end date of the period you need to update your Impact indicators for. For example: If your data is current up to September 2025 and you need to update it for October 2025, selected the start date as October 1, 2025 and the end date as October 31, 2025.

Step 3: Generate JSON-LD

Generate a CIDS-aligned JSON-LD file from your data.

Note that this process connects to your WooCommerce and Square API endpoints and may take a few minutes to complete. Track the progress with the loading spinner.

Step 4: Download JSON-LD

Download the generated JSON-LD file and use it to update your Impact Dashboard.

Step 5: Update your Impact Dashboard

  1. Find the location of your previous JSON-LD file (should be called "theseed.json")
  2. Replace the previous JSON-LD file with the newly generated JSON-LD file
  3. Find your Impact Dashboard Tableau workbook (should be called "theseed.twbx")
  4. Open the workbook and navigate to the "Data" tab on the top menu
  5. Refresh the data by clicking on the "Refresh" button
  6. Wait for the data to refresh and verify that the data is updated in your Impact Dashboard

Fair Finance Fund Custom Export Module

This application allows you to convert your master loan data and impact indicator tracking data into a CIDS-aligned JSON-LD file that feeds into your Impact Dashboard.

Step 1: Upload Master Loan Data File

Download your master loan data spreadsheet as an Excel file (.xlsx) and upload it here. This file should contain the "Loan Clients" sheet with all approved loan clients.

Step 2: Upload Impact Indicator Tracking File

Download your impact indicator tracking spreadsheet as an Excel file (.xlsx) and upload it here. This file should contain the "Master Tracking By Indicator" sheet with annual aggregated data.

Step 3: Generate JSON-LD

Generate a CIDS-aligned JSON-LD file from your master loan data and impact indicator tracking data.

Step 4: Download JSON-LD

Download the generated JSON-LD file and use it to update your Impact Dashboard.

Step 5: Update your Impact Dashboard

  1. Find the location of your previous JSON-LD file (should be called "fff.json")
  2. Replace the previous JSON-LD file with the newly generated JSON-LD file
  3. Find your Impact Dashboard Tableau workbook (should be called "fff.twbx")
  4. Open the workbook and navigate to the "Data" tab on the top menu
  5. Refresh the data by clicking on the "Refresh" button
  6. Wait for the data to refresh and verify that the data is updated in your Impact Dashboard