How to Convert XML to JSON Files – Free & Reliable Ways

This article compares XML and JSON, two major formats dominating data interchange. These two formats serve the purpose of data structuring and data exchange and inherently differ from each other. This difference forces people to convert from one to the other at times. Hence, we are here for that file conversion. Follow this guide to batch convert XML to JSON files with complete data structure.

Know the File Formats: XML vs JSON

An XML uses nested tags and attributes to set up a tree, or more accurately, a hierarchical, structure. It’s based on document-centric data and thus is fit for use where no compromise can be made in schema validation, such as SOAP-based Web Services.

In contrast, JSON is a lightweight data-interchange format-as well as human-friendly and language-independent. This key:value pairing results in an immensely intuitive and efficient data representation, especially when it comes to Web Applications and APIs. The native compatibility with JavaScript for JSON somehow annihilated all opposition, thereby becoming the de facto data representation format in modern web development.

These are the primary reasons for converting from XML to JSON format:

• Improved Readability and Simplicity: JSON embodies a succinct syntax and is deemed easier by most people for reading and writing than is XML, which has a more verbose tag-based structure.
• Better Parsing and Processing Speed: Because of its simple design, JSON generally means quicker parsing-a feature immensely desired by high-performance web and mobile apps.
• Integration with Web Technologies: JSON is the accepted language of data interchange for web APIs and JavaScript applications, easiest for its clients and servers to handle.
• Lesser Data Size: Parallel to XML, JSON can produce smaller files and hence constitutes faster transmission of data over a network.

This article will guide you through various methods and tools on how to convert XML to JSON, from manual approaches to leveraging powerful programming libraries and dedicated software.

#1 Try Converting XML to JSON Manually (DIY)

If the XML file contains a very small and simple snippet, then manual translation into JSON is quite appropriate here. This would imply a transformation of XML elements, attributes, and text into respective JSON objects, arrays, and values.

XML Example:

<book id="123">
    <title>The Great Gatsby</title>
    <author>F. Scott Fitzgerald</author>
    <year>1925</year>
</book>

Manual JSON Conversion:

{
  "book": {
    "id": "123",
    "title": "The Great Gatsby",
    "author": "F. Scott Fitzgerald",
    "year": 1925
  }
}

Note: In JSON, numbers (like ‘year’) are typically represented as actual numbers, not strings.

This method is highly prone to errors and impractical for anything beyond trivial examples.

#2 Use Programming Libraries to Convert XML File to JSON Format

As highly effectual options for conversion from XML to JSON, strong programming libraries should be recommended and acknowledged for the automated conversion-then-automated phase. Let us take examples for well-known languages:

I. Python

In Python, there is really a complete array of libraries to tackle XML and JSON. xmltodict is the most commonly used one, making it a very straightforward conversion.

First, install xmltodict:

pip install xmltodict

Python Code Example:

import xmltodict
import json

xml_string = """
<library>
    <book id="123">
        <title>The Great Gatsby</title>
        <author>F. Scott Fitzgerald</author>
        <genre>Fiction</genre>
    </book>
    <book id="124">
        <title>1984</title>
        <author>George Orwell</author>
        <genre>Dystopian</genre>
    </book>
</library>
"""

# Convert XML to Python dictionary
data_dict = xmltodict.parse(xml_string)

# Convert Python dictionary to JSON string
json_string = json.dumps(data_dict, indent=4) # indent for pretty-printing

print(json_string)

Output:

{
    "library": {
        "book": [
            {
                "@id": "123",
                "title": "The Great Gatsby",
                "author": "F. Scott Fitzgerald",
                "genre": "Fiction"
            },
            {
                "@id": "124",
                "title": "1984",
                "author": "George Orwell",
                "genre": "Dystopian"
            }
        ]
    }
}

Notice how xmltodict uses the @-prefix to denote attributes (like id) and repeats <book> elements as JSON arrays.

II. Java

In Java, libraries such as org.json (json-java) and jacksonare popularly used for transforming XML to JSON.

Using org.json:

First, add the json-20240303.jar (the latest version) to your library path in your project or, if you are using Maven, add this dependency in your xml file:

<dependency>
    <groupId>org.json</groupId>
    <artifactId>json</artifactId>
    <version>20240303</version>
</dependency>

Java Code Example (using org.json):

import org.json.JSONObject;
import org.json.XML;

public class XmlToJsonConverter {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        String xmlString = "<?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"UTF-8\"?>\n" +
                           "<note>\n" +
                           "  <to>Tove</to>\n" +
                           "  <from>Jani</from>\n" +
                           "  <heading>Reminder</heading>\n" +
                           "  <body>Don't forget me this weekend!</body>\n" +
                           "</note>";

        try {
            JSONObject jsonObject = XML.toJSONObject(xmlString);
            System.out.println(jsonObject.toString(4)); // 4 for pretty-printing
        } catch (Exception e) {
            e.printStackTrace();
        }
    }
}

Output:

{
    "note": {
        "to": "Tove",
        "from": "Jani",
        "heading": "Reminder",
        "body": "Don't forget me this weekend!"
    }
}

III. JavaScript

Users often opt for xml-js and xml2js when they use javascript to convert XML file to JSON format. This is especially the case when an application runs under Node.js or in a browser environment. Below is an example of the code:

Using xml-js (Node.js):

First, install xml-js:

npm install xml-js

JavaScript Code Example (using xml-js):

const convert = require('xml-js');

const xmlData = `
<data>
    <item id="A1">Value 1</item>
    <item id="B2">Value 2</item>
</data>
`;

// Convert XML to JSON with compact format and 2 spaces for indentation
const jsonResult = convert.xml2json(xmlData, { compact: true, spaces: 2 });
console.log(jsonResult);

Output:

{
  "data": {
    "item": [
      {
        "_attributes": {
          "id": "A1"
        },
        "_text": "Value 1"
      },
      {
        "_attributes": {
          "id": "B2"
        },
        "_text": "Value 2"
      }
    ]
  }
}

Note: Use compact: true to bring about the designation of XML attributes as _attributes and element text contents as _text.

#3 Converting From XML to PDF Using Online Converters

Online XML to JSON converter is an excellent option for one-time conversion. Users can search for these tools online. There are multiples of them available on the internet. Users can copy and paste the XML content in the online tools or upload an XML file, then the tool will deliver you the converted results in JSON format or file.

There are several online converters. Some popular ones are listed below:

• FreeFormatter.com XML to JSON Converter: A simple tool with two input boxes and a file upload option that also allows users to pretty-print the JSON output.
• CodeBeautify XML to JSON Converter: This tool converts and checks XML and JSON validity, then minifies and beautifies it.
• Jsonformatter.org XML to JSON Converter: Another basic yet powerful tool with a clean interface.
• Online XML to JSON Converter by DrapCode: The online XML to JSON conversion tool focuses on fast and secure processing of data locally inside your browser for complete privacy.

Features to look for in an online XML to JSON converter:

• Easy to Use: Ability to just copy-paste the XML or upload it as a file.
• Pretty-Printing/Formatting: Option to pretty-print the JSON output.
• Error-Handling: Specifies when the XML-type input goes invalid.
• Download Options: Gives an option to download the JSON files converted.

Important: DO NOT USE online converter for sensitive information. As the user needs to add XML file to an unknown server, we do not know how it is accessed, who accesses it and how the data is used. So, it is important to exercise caution with highly sensitive data on public online tools.

#4 How to Batch Convert XML to PDF Files – Dedicated Solution

When it comes to batch conversions of XML files on a regular basis or for more difficult conversion needs, dedicated software tools might give you more advanced features and usually work offline, giving you more security and control. SysTools XML Conversion Tool is a professional desktop application to handle complex and large XML file databases and also provides highly customizable conversion capabilities and thus conversion of XML to JSON.

Key Features and Benefits:

• Multi-File Format Conversion: Converts XML into formats other than JSON, such as XML to TXT, HTML, DOC, SQL Script, MDB, ACCDB, DBF, CSV, and XLSX.
• Batch Conversion: Converts multiple XML files or entire XML folders at one go, enabling time-saving for extensive datasets.
• Preserves XML Structure: Converts XML data in such a way that the original hierarchy, elements, and formatting remain intact.
• User-Friendly Interface: Simple and interactive interface with two options for adding XML files. Add XML files one by one or add an entire folder at once.
• Offline Functionality: This software works as a desktop application where all conversions are performed locally. It gives an upper hand in terms of data security as compared to online tools.
• Cross-Platform Availability: Available for Windows and MAC operating systems with support for various versions.

Stepwise Guide on XML to JSON File Conversion

1. Download and Install SysTools XML to JSON Converter on your Windows or macOS system.
2. Use the “Add Files” or “Add Folders” option to import the XML data you wish to convert.
3. From the available export options, choose “JSON” as the target format.
4. Select the desired destination folder for the converted JSON files.
5. Click the “Export” button to start the process.
6. Once the conversion is complete, navigate to the output folder and verify the generated JSON files.

JSON Supported Databases

Often, prior to actually storing or querying the data from any databases, the XML is converted to JSON. Many modern databases with a particular emphasis on NoSQL databases provide native support for JSON. Hence, they act as the appropriate receiver for the converted JSON information. Relational databases have also started to provide support for complex JSON data types and functions.

Therefore, converting XML to JSON will allow one to leverage the power of these databases to provide easier integration with web applications. It will also speed up data retrieval and allow more flexible schema design.

Databases that support JSON and can benefit from this conversion include:

• NoSQL Databases:
  • MongoDB stands tall among document databases that store data in BSON-a binary encoding of JSON-but provide superlative performances and greater flexibility for JSON documents.
  • Couchbase Server is a distributed NoSQL document database with native support for JSON documents and offers powerful query facilities.
  • CouchDB is an Apache project-a document-oriented NoSQL database storing data as JSON documents.
  • MarkLogic is a multi-model NoSQL database that can store, manage, and search JSON, XML, and other data formats.
  • OrientDB is a multi-model NoSQL database supporting graph, document, key/value, and object models and has native JSON support.
  • Riak is a distributed NoSQL key-value data store that can handle JSON data.
• Relational Databases (with native JSON data types):
  • PostgreSQL: With json and jsonb data types come powerful capabilities that PostgreSQL offers for storing, indexing, and querying JSON data. jsonb stores data in a decomposed binary format so that it can be processed faster.
  • MySQL: Since version 5.7.8, MySQL has introduced a native JSON data type which ensures efficient storage. It automates validation of JSON documents and an extensive suite of functions for JSON manipulation.
  • Oracle Database: The oracle engines support storing, querying, and indexing JSON. So developers can work with JSON data natively in the SQL environment.
  • IBM Db2: This one also provides JSON support and enables its users to store and query JSON data alongside relational data.

Comparative Analysis of Tools and Methods

It is important to select the right method for converting XML to JSON file. There are multiple factors to look at. For example: volume of data, complexity of XML, conversion frequency, and users’ technical background.

Method/Tool	Advantages	Disadvantages	Best For
Manual Conversion	No tool installation or coding required	Highly error-prone and thus is only feasible for tiny one-off simple files	Learning bare mapping basics and very minimal one-off snippets
Online Converters	Fast, use on any platform, installation not required, free most often	Security issues for sensitive data, minimal customization, may choke on files of a very huge size	For quick one-off conversions, testing, and minute XML files
Programming Libraries (Python, Java, JS)	Highly flexible, scalable, automatable, secure (processing locally), fine-grained control over the mapping	Requires programming knowledge; initial setup (installing libraries)	Frequent conversions, large datasets, complex XML structures, integration into existing apps
SysTools XML to JSON Converter	GUI is friendly, batch processing, handles complex XML, offline security, supports multiple output formats	Usually requires a commercial license	Businesses and professionals who must convert XML into various formats on a frequent or large scale

FAQ

Q1: What are the main differences between XML and JSON?
A1: XML is a markup language used to structure documents with tags and attributes. On the other hand, JSON is a lightweight data-interchange format. It employs simple key-value pairs and arrays for data interchange and promotes simplicity and human readability. JSON is suitable for web APIs.

Q2: Why would I want to convert XML to JSON?
A2: There are multiple reasons for one to do so such as improved readability, faster parsing, better integration with modern web applications and JavaScript and often reduced data size for network transmission.

Q3: Can I manually convert XML to JSON?
A3: Yes, it is optimal for tiny and simple XML snippets. However, this possibility is very error-prone and inefficient unless for very trivial examples. Practical implementations recommend programming libraries or online tools.

Q4: How do XML attributes get converted to JSON?
A4: Most converters convert XML attributes to key-value pairs within the corresponding JSON object. Two most common conventions are: to prefix attribute names with @ (e.g., @id), or to give them their own sub-object (e.g., _attributes).

Q5: Are online XML to JSON converters secure for sensitive data?
A5: That depends on the converter. Some do the conversion client-side, that is, in your browser. Such converters tend to be more secure. Other converters send your data to a server. With something highly sensitive, you are better off with an offline programming library or dedicated software.

Wrapping It Up

The ability to convert XML to JSON is a crucial skill in today’s interconnected data landscape. XML remains better for some specific uses. However, JSON dominates in modern web development, APIs, and mobile applications, thereby creating a need for such a conversion.

We’ve explored various methods here. Manual conversion is for basic cases. Powerful programming libraries in Python, Java, and JavaScript offers automation and fine-grained control. Online XML to JSON converter tools provides convenience for quick and single-use cases. And finally, dedicated software has the functionality to conduct batch processing for complicated XML structures and provide more security.

When choosing the right method, consider the volume and complexity of your XML data, your technical expertise, security requirements, and the need for automation or integration into existing systems. By understanding the strengths and limitations of each approach, users can effectively manage the data formats and ensure seamless data conversion across diverse applications and platforms.