JSON Formatter Documentation

The JSON Formatter is a powerful tool that helps you format, validate, and beautify your JSON data. With features like syntax highlighting, error detection, and customizable indentation, it makes working with JSON data easier than ever.

Features

  • Format JSON - Automatically format your JSON with proper indentation and line breaks
  • Validate JSON - Check for syntax errors and invalid JSON structure
  • Syntax Highlighting - Color-coded syntax for better readability
  • Error Detection - Instant feedback on JSON syntax errors
  • Copy & Download - Easily copy formatted JSON or download as a file
  • Large File Support - Handle large JSON files with excellent performance

How to Use

Basic Formatting

  1. Paste your JSON data into the editor
  2. Click the "Format" button or use the keyboard shortcut (Ctrl/Cmd + S)
  3. Your JSON will be automatically formatted with proper indentation

Validation

  1. Enter or paste your JSON data
  2. Click the "Validate" button
  3. If there are any errors, they will be highlighted with detailed messages

Copying and Downloading

  1. After formatting your JSON, click the "Copy" button to copy to clipboard
  2. Use the "Download" button to save the formatted JSON as a file

Example

Here's an example of unformatted JSON:

{"name":"John Doe","age":30,"address":{"street":"123 Main St","city":"New York","country":"USA"},"hobbies":["reading","gaming","traveling"]}

After formatting:

{
  "name": "John Doe",
  "age": 30,
  "address": {
    "street": "123 Main St",
    "city": "New York",
    "country": "USA"
  },
  "hobbies": [
    "reading",
    "gaming",
    "traveling"
  ]
}

Tips & Tricks

  • Keyboard Shortcuts
    • Format: Ctrl/Cmd + S
    • Copy: Ctrl/Cmd + C
    • Paste: Ctrl/Cmd + V
  • Large Files - For large JSON files, the formatter will still maintain good performance
  • Error Handling - Hover over error indicators to see detailed error messages
  • File Drag & Drop - You can drag and drop JSON files directly into the editor

Common Issues

Invalid JSON Structure

Common syntax errors include:

  • Missing or extra commas
  • Unmatched brackets or braces
  • Missing quotes around property names
  • Single quotes instead of double quotes

Large File Performance

While our formatter can handle large files, for optimal performance with very large JSON files (over 1MB), consider these tips:

  • Disable syntax highlighting for very large files
  • Use the "Minify" option first to reduce file size
  • Split very large JSON files into smaller chunks

Related Tools