The invention relates to a preparation method of canagliflozin, and the preparation method is characterized in that the preparation method comprises the following steps: 1) reacting 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-[(5-iodo-2-methylphenyl) methyl ] thiophene with an alkaline reagent and 2,3,4, 6-tetra-O-(trimethylsilyl)- D- glucolactone under a low-temperature condition, and carrying out methylation and deprotection reaction with a methanol solution of methanesulfonic acid to generate an intermediate 1; 2) under a low-temperature condition, reacting the intermediate 1 with triethyl silane and boron trifluoride diethyl etherate, and carrying out post-treatment to obtain an intermediate 2; 3) under a low-temperature condition, reacting the intermediate 2 with an organic base, DMAP and acetic anhydride,and purifying to obtain an intermediate 3; and 4) reacting the intermediate 3 with an alkaline water solution, and purifying after the reaction to obtain the canagliflozin. The method is mild in conditions, safe to operate, simple in post-treatment and high in product purity, no alpha-isomer is detected; the product is safer.