How to Reformat JSON in Notepad++: Complete Guide

To reformat JSON in Notepad++ for improved readability, you can use either the JSON Viewer plugin or the JSTool plugin. The JSON Viewer plugin offers a straightforward approach with the Ctrl+Alt+Shift+J shortcut, while JSTool provides an alternative with Ctrl+Alt+M. Both methods will automatically indent your JSON data and add proper line breaks to make it more readable and maintainable.

Contents

• Using the JSON Viewer Plugin
• Using the JSTool Plugin
• Comparing Both Methods
• Troubleshooting Common Issues
• Alternative Methods
• Best Practices for JSON Formatting

Using the JSON Viewer Plugin

The JSON Viewer plugin is specifically designed for JSON formatting and viewing in Notepad++. Here’s how to install and use it:

Installation Steps:

1. Open Notepad++
2. Navigate to Plugins → Plugin Manager → Show Plugin Manager
3. In the Available tab, search for “JSON Viewer”
4. Check the box next to JSON Viewer and click Install
5. Click Yes to confirm and restart Notepad++ when prompted

Formatting JSON:

1. Open your JSON file in Notepad++
2. Select the JSON text (or press Ctrl+A to select all)
3. Navigate to Plugins → JSON Viewer → Format JSON
4. Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Alt+Shift+J

The JSON will be automatically reformatted with proper indentation and line breaks, making it much easier to read and understand.

Note: According to the JSON Viewer plugin documentation, this plugin is particularly useful for indenting/formatting JSON documents and can also browse complex JSON files using a treeview tool.

Using the JSTool Plugin

JSTool is another popular plugin that provides JSON formatting capabilities along with other JavaScript tools.

Installation Steps:

1. Open Notepad++
2. Navigate to Plugins → Plugin Manager → Show Plugin Manager
3. In the Available tab, search for “JSTool”
4. Check the box next to JSTool and click Install
5. Restart Notepad++ when prompted

Alternative Manual Installation:

If the plugin manager doesn’t work, you can install it manually:

1. Download JSTool from the official JSTool website
2. Extract the downloaded ZIP file
3. Copy the JSMinNpp.dll file to Notepad++'s plugin directory
4. You may need to create a directory named “JSMinNPP” in the plugin directory after version 7.6.3

Formatting JSON with JSTool:

1. Open your JSON file in Notepad++
2. Select the JSON text you want to format
3. Navigate to Plugins → JSTool → JSFormat
4. Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Alt+M

The JSTool plugin will automatically format your JSON with proper indentation and line breaks.

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Comparing Both Methods

Both methods work effectively for JSON formatting, but the JSON Viewer plugin is specifically designed for JSON and might be simpler for your needs. JSTool offers more features if you also work with JavaScript code.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Plugin Installation Problems:

• Plugin not found in manager: Try installing the plugin manually from the official websites
• Restart required: Always restart Notepad++ after installing plugins
• Architecture mismatch: Download the correct 32-bit or 64-bit version matching your Notepad++ installation

JSON Formatting Issues:

• Invalid JSON: Ensure your JSON is syntactically correct before formatting
• Partial selection: Select the entire JSON or specific portion you want to format
• Encoding issues: Save your file with UTF-8 encoding if you encounter character problems

TextFX Alternative:

If you still want to try TextFX, according to StackTuts, you can:

1. Select all text (Ctrl+A)
2. Go to TextFX → TextFX JSON → Validate/Format JSON

However, many users report that this method is less reliable than the dedicated plugins.

Alternative Methods

Manual Installation:

For users who prefer manual installation:

1. Download the plugin DLL from official sources
2. Place it in the Notepad++ plugins directory
3. Create a subdirectory if required (like “JSMinNPP” for JSTool)

Command Line Tools:

For advanced users, consider using external JSON formatters like jq and pipe the content to Notepad++.

Best Practices for JSON Formatting

Before Formatting:

• Validate your JSON: Ensure the JSON is syntactically correct
• Backup your file: Create a copy before making changes
• Check for binary data: Some JSON files may contain encoded binary data that could be affected by formatting

After Formatting:

• Verify functionality: Test that the formatted JSON still works with your applications
• Commit to version control: Save the formatted version in your repository
• Maintain consistency: Use the same formatting style throughout your projects

Performance Tips:

• Large files: For very large JSON files, consider using more specialized tools
• Frequent formatting: Set up Notepad++ to remember your preferred plugin shortcuts
• Automation: Create macros for repeated formatting tasks

By following these methods, you can easily transform compact JSON strings like the one in your example into properly formatted, readable versions with consistent indentation and line breaks.

Sources

1. StackTuts - How to reformat json in notepad++?
2. JSON Viewer Plugin GitHub Repository
3. JSTool Official Website
4. Super User - How can I get Notepad++ to properly format, “pretty print” unformatted JSON data?
5. Partition Wizard - Discover How to Format JSON in Notepad++ Easily
6. W3Schools - JSON format in notepad++
7. PaulSofts - Notepad++ Format JSON (2024)
8. Code2care - Prettify JSON in Notepad++

Conclusion

Reformatting JSON in Notepad++ is straightforward once you have the right plugins installed. The JSON Viewer plugin and JSTool plugin both provide excellent solutions for converting compact JSON into properly formatted, readable versions.

Key takeaways:

• Use JSON Viewer plugin with Ctrl+Alt+Shift+J for dedicated JSON formatting
• Try JSTool plugin with Ctrl+Alt+M for additional JavaScript tools
• Always validate your JSON before formatting
• Restart Notepad++ after installing plugins
• Consider backing up your files before making formatting changes

For your specific example of compact JSON, either plugin will successfully transform it into a well-structured format with proper indentation and line breaks, making it much easier to read and maintain.