File Extension Database

Open JSON File

Files with File Extension JSON store Javascript structured information. The data in JSON files is structured in a way it makes it very easy to read from Javascript and other software languages. In a way JSON is similar to XML files but instead of storing document structure using XML tags, JSON uses name:value pairs for this purpose. If you open JSON file you will see that most of its data consists of pairs of strings delimited by colon. First string in such pair represents name of the data item and second string represents value assigned to this data item.

Besides pairs of keys and assigned values JSON can also store arrays of data. Array represents set of data which is grouped by a certain criterion. For example, you can group city, state, street, house number in one array and call it address. An example of such array in JSON notation would be following.

{ "address" : { "city": "city name", "state": "state name", "street": "street name", "house number": "value"}}

In the example above "address" is an array which consists of 4 elements: city, state, street and house number. So if you have some application which uses JSON files to fill forms it can easily interpret JSON file above to fill all fields for an address part of the form.

If you'd like to view JSON file you can just open them with any text editor. JSON files are not compressed and you can always see and understand what is inside. To open JSON files in an easier to read and view display format you can use some online viewers or development application like XCode or Microsoft Visual Studio.

JSON File Supported Data Types

JSON file format supports following data types:

Number
Integer
String
Object
Array

Even though number of data types seems to be limited, it is possible to express most of the types of information used nowadays using JSON file format. You can encode whole databases using JSON. For some datatypes it is may not be the most effective, but flexibility and text format of JSON file allows it to be opened on multitude of different devices without conversion.

Converting JSON File to CSV

It is not possible to convert any type of JSON file to CSV since JSON format allows to encode significantly more complex data structures than CSV file format allows. Still for certain straightforward cases when JSON to CSV conversion is possible. For such cases you can use JSON to CSV converter like convertcsv.com.

JSON Formatting and Beautifying

Frequently, JSON files are delivered with tabulation and spaces removed. It is quite hard to read information stored in JSON file in such format. To fix this issue JSON formatting could be applied. Formatting will apply correct tabulation and spacing to JSON elements to make it look easy to read and comprehend its structure. For example, you can format JSON online using JSON formatter tool.

How Can I Open JSON File on Windows

We researched and learned that the best way to open JSON file is to find a JSON file in question in Windows OS File Explorer and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a JSON file is not opened in an application and you instead get a "Windows can't open a file" error message you should try looking for an application which can open the file in question.
If you know the application which can open JSON file then run it and see if there is a File->Open main menu option in the application.
If you don't know the application which function as JSON file opener then try to search online for "JSON viewer", "application to open JSON file" or "open JSON file" queries in the search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can open JSON file

How Can I Open JSON File on Mac OS

We recommend to find a JSON file in question in Mac OS Finder and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a JSON file is not opened in a Mac OS application and you instead get a "There is no application set to open the file" error message you can click on "Search App Store" in the error dialog and Mac OS will show you applications compatible with JSON file.
If you know the Mac OS application which can work as JSON file opener you can choose the "Choose Application..." option in the error box to associate the file extension and open JSON file in it.
If you don't know the application which can open JSON file then try to search for "JSON viewer", "application to open JSON file" or "read JSON file" queries in the online search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can read JSON file

How Can I Open JSON File on Android

If you downloaded a JSON file on Android device you can open it by following steps below:

In the Android apps list on your Android device find "My Files" or "File manager" app and tap to start it.
Tap on "Downloads" folder inside the app.
You should see your downloaded JSON file in that folder.
Tap on the file. If Android device supports opening the file you downloaded it will open in the corresponding app.
If file does not open you can look for the corresponding app that can open the file by searching Android App Store for the "JSON".
If you cannot open the file with the apps from Android App Store it is possible that the file could only be opened on desktop platforms such as Windows or Mac OS. Try searching for "JSON viewer", "JSON file reader" online and see if any desktop applications can open it.
It is also possible that the file you downloaded is outdated and is no longer supported.

How to Open JSON File on iPhone or iPad

To open JSON File on iOS device follow steps below:

We advies to open Files app on your iPhone or iPad device. You can find it by swiping down on the home screen and typing "Files" in the search bar.
Tap on the Downloads folder on the Files app home screen.
You will see all files that you recently downloaded. Tap on the JSON file to view it.
If you have the right app that can open it it will automatically launch and open your file.
If you don't have the app which can open it you need to serch Apple app store for "JSON". This way you can find apps which can open JSON files.
If this doesn't help it is possible that your file could be opened only by the desktop application. To find an app which can open it on desktop look for "JSON viewer" or "JSON file" online in your favorite search engine.

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