quickconverts.org
☰

Notepad Json Formatter

Image related to notepad-json-formatter

Taming the JSON Beast: Mastering Notepad++'s JSON Formatting Power



Imagine staring at a wall of text, a seemingly endless stream of curly braces, square brackets, and colons. This isn't some cryptic code from an ancient civilization; it's JSON – JavaScript Object Notation – a ubiquitous data format powering much of the modern internet. While incredibly efficient for storing and transmitting data, unformatted JSON can be a programmer's nightmare. Luckily, Notepad++, a popular free text editor, offers a simple yet powerful solution: its built-in JSON formatter. This article will guide you through leveraging this tool to transform chaotic JSON into beautifully organized, easily readable code.


Understanding JSON and its Challenges



JSON is a lightweight data-interchange format, meaning it's designed for efficient transmission between systems. Think of it as a standardized way to package information. It uses a key-value pair structure, where keys are strings (enclosed in double quotes) and values can be various data types like numbers, strings, booleans (true/false), arrays (lists of values), and nested objects.

The problem arises when dealing with large or complex JSON datasets. Without proper formatting (indentation and line breaks), the data becomes a tangled mess, making it virtually impossible to understand, debug, or modify. This is where Notepad++'s JSON formatter comes to the rescue.


Installing and Configuring a JSON Formatter Plugin (if needed)



While Notepad++ has basic formatting capabilities, a dedicated plugin can significantly enhance the JSON formatting experience. The most popular choice is "JSON Viewer," available through the Notepad++ Plugin Manager.

To install:

1. Open Notepad++.
2. Go to `Plugins` > `Plugin Manager` > `Show Plugin Manager`.
3. Find "JSON Viewer" in the list.
4. Check the box next to it and click "Install".
5. Restart Notepad++.

After installation, you'll have a new "JSON Viewer" menu item.


Formatting JSON in Notepad++ with and without Plugins



Method 1: Using the built-in functionality (limited)

Notepad++ itself offers some basic formatting capabilities. You can try manually indenting your JSON using the tab key. However, this method is tedious and prone to errors for large files. It's most useful for very small JSON snippets.


Method 2: Using the JSON Viewer Plugin (recommended)

With the JSON Viewer plugin installed, formatting is a breeze:

1. Open your JSON file in Notepad++.
2. Go to `Plugins` > `JSON Viewer` > `View JSON`.
3. The plugin will parse the JSON and display it in a neatly formatted structure.
4. You can copy the formatted JSON from the viewer and paste it back into your main Notepad++ document to replace the unformatted version.


Method 3: Using external online JSON formatters (Alternative)

If you are reluctant to install plugins or have compatibility issues, numerous online JSON formatters are available. Simply paste your JSON code into the website's input field and click "Format." The formatted output can then be copied and pasted into Notepad++. This method provides a quick and easy alternative, but it relies on an internet connection.


Real-World Applications of JSON Formatting



JSON formatting's practical implications are vast. Consider these examples:

Web Development: APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) frequently use JSON to transmit data between servers and web applications. Cleanly formatted JSON makes debugging and understanding API responses much easier.
Data Analysis: When dealing with large datasets in JSON format, proper formatting is essential for efficient analysis and manipulation. It allows you to easily identify patterns and insights within the data.
Configuration Files: Many applications use JSON to store configuration settings. Formatted JSON makes these settings easily readable and modifiable.
Mobile App Development: JSON is a common data exchange format for mobile apps. Well-formatted JSON simplifies the process of integrating data into your mobile applications.



Reflective Summary



Notepad++, with the help of plugins like JSON Viewer, transforms from a simple text editor into a powerful tool for handling JSON data. While basic formatting is possible within Notepad++ itself, using a dedicated plugin provides a significantly more efficient and reliable way to format JSON, making it easier to read, understand, and debug. Mastering this skill is invaluable for anyone working with JSON, whether in web development, data analysis, or other fields.


FAQs



1. What happens if my JSON is invalid? Both the plugin and online formatters will usually highlight syntax errors, allowing you to easily identify and correct them.

2. Can I save the formatted JSON directly within Notepad++? Yes, after copying the formatted JSON from the viewer, you can simply paste it into your original Notepad++ file and save it.

3. Are there any limitations to Notepad++'s JSON formatting? Notepad++ itself has limitations for complex JSON; using plugins provides better handling of large or deeply nested JSON structures.

4. Is the JSON Viewer plugin safe to install? The JSON Viewer plugin is widely used and generally considered safe. However, as with any plugin, it's always prudent to download from reputable sources (like the Notepad++ Plugin Manager).

5. What are the alternatives to Notepad++ for JSON formatting? Several dedicated code editors and IDEs (Integrated Development Environments) offer superior JSON formatting capabilities, such as Visual Studio Code, Sublime Text, and Atom. However, Notepad++ with the right plugin remains a strong free and lightweight alternative.

Links:

Converter Tool

Conversion Result:

=

Note: Conversion is based on the latest values and formulas.

Formatted Text:

doubt synonym
what should the driver do in this situation
5 foot 3 in metres
broken yellow line means
two roads in a yellow wood
112 miles in km
78 miles in km
190000 km to miles
biasness synonym
flexible syn
42 km in miles
whats 11 stone in kg
fsctors of 30
sneaky thesaurus
hermano meaning

Search Results:

Save a file in json format using Notepad++ - Stack Overflow 24 Mar 2015 · Simply you can save with extension .json but while saving you have to do some changes. Change Save as type in red circle in image to All Files. It will create .json file with name bharti.json. To check this --> Right click at file--> Properties--> Type of file: JSON File (.json)

How to format JSON in notepad++ - Stack Overflow I want to format JSON String in notepad++. Kindly guide me how to do so. I looked into this solution Notepad ++ JSON Format. It tells me to download the a tool from This web site. But I don't know which link to click out of 4 mentioned in that web site.

editor - Reformat Code in Notepad++ - Stack Overflow Is there a function (and shortcut) to reformat code in Notepad++ Like CTRL+SHIFT+F in Eclipse?

I'm using Notepad++ with JSON viewer and it won't recognize my … 17 Jun 2022 · My current version of the Notepad++ is v7.8.2 (32-bit) and JSON viewer 1.21. I assume that the JSON viewer plugin is installed. The ways it worked for me is firstly select the json text by pressing Ctrl + a then click Plugins > JSON Viewer > Format JSON. Tell me if it works, you have a good day.

html - Formatting code in Notepad++ - Stack Overflow 3 Sep 2010 · Prettier is described as: "an opinionated code formatter. It enforces a consistent style by parsing your code and re-printing it with its own rules that take the maximum line length into account, wrapping code when necessary." Prettier Supports the Following Languages. HTML; CSS, Less, and SCSS; JavaScript; TypeScript; JSX, Angular, Vue; JSON ...

How do I pretty format my SQL query in DBeaver? 26 Sep 2017 · The optional -c option allows you to specify a config file to customize the way you want your queries to be formatted (again more info in Prettier SQL formatter README). Where you need to replace "C:\Program Files\nodejs\npx.cmd" with the correct path to your npx.cmd file, and if needed replace the path to the prettier config file "path_to_config_file.conf" .

How To Auto-Format / Indent XML/HTML in Notepad++ 19 Aug 2011 · I'm using Notepad 7.6 with "Plugin Admin" and I could not find XML Tools. I had to install it manually like @some-java-guy did in his answer except that my plugins folder was located here: C:\Users\<my username>\AppData\Local\Notepad++\plugins In that directory I created a new directory (named XmlTools) and copied XMLTools.dll there.

Prettify JSON in notepad++ without plugins - Stack Overflow 7 May 2019 · I'm trying to prettify a JSON object in Notepad++. The first solution that comes to mind is using a dedicated plugin. The thing is that the computer I'm working on is not connected to the Internet and all I can use is Notepad++ and all the functionalities Windows 10 offers. Let's say this is the JSON object 'ugly' version:

How do I format XML in Notepad++? - Stack Overflow 6 Apr 2019 · For best results, you should use both TextFX XML tidy and XML tools pretty print. Here's how and why: 1.TextFX -> TextFX HTML Tidy -> Tidy: reindent XML

parsing - How to reformat JSON in Notepad++ - Stack Overflow 13 Oct 2009 · open a document containing a JSON string; Select JSON fragment and navigate to plugins/JSON Viewer/show JSON Viewer or press "Ctrl+Alt+Shift+J" Voila!! if the JSON is valid, it will be shown in a Treeview; It should be the same process for win32 but I …