How can I beautify JSON programmatically? [duplicate]

386
votes

Do you know of any "JSON Beautifier" for JavaScript?

From

{"name":"Steve","surname":"Jobs","company":"Apple"}

To

{
  "name" : "Steve",
  "surname" : "Jobs",
  "company" : "Apple"
}

Example

some_magic(jsonObj); // return beautified JSON
2
javascriptjsoncode-formattingpretty-print
Why do you need to beautify it programmatically? Is it being displayed on a web page? - SeanJA
I'm rather amused to see so many "solutions" referenced in the answers, all solving a problem that is, per Andy E's answer, already catered for by the standard API. A lesson to us all: read the documentation of existing APIs before either seeking or implementing a solution to a requirement ;-) - NickFitz

2 Answers

791
votes

Programmatic formatting solution:

The JSON.stringify method supported by many modern browsers (including IE8) can output a beautified JSON string:

JSON.stringify(jsObj, null, "\t"); // stringify with tabs inserted at each level
JSON.stringify(jsObj, null, 4);    // stringify with 4 spaces at each level

Demo: http://jsfiddle.net/AndyE/HZPVL/

This method is also included with json2.js, for supporting older browsers.

Manual formatting solution

If you don't need to do it programmatically, Try JSON Lint. Not only will it prettify your JSON, it will validate it at the same time.

2
votes

Here's something that might be interesting for developers hacking (minified or obfuscated) JavaScript more frequently.

You can build your own CLI JavaScript beautifier in under 5 mins and have it handy on the command-line. You'll need Mozilla Rhino, JavaScript file of some of the JS beautifiers available online, small hack and a script file to wrap it all up.

I wrote an article explaining the procedure: Command-line JavaScript beautifier implemented in JavaScript.