5 Ways to Format JSON in Sublime Text Easily

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a widely used data interchange format that is easy to read and write. However, when working with large JSON files, it can be challenging to read and understand the data. This is where formatting JSON in Sublime Text comes in handy. In this article, we will explore five ways to format JSON in Sublime Text easily.

Sublime Text is a popular text editor among developers, and it offers several features that make it an ideal choice for working with JSON files. One of the key features is its ability to format JSON files, making it easier to read and understand the data. In this article, we will discuss five methods to format JSON in Sublime Text, including using built-in plugins, external tools, and keyboard shortcuts.

Method 1: Using the Built-in JSON Formatter

Sublime Text has a built-in JSON formatter that allows you to format JSON files with ease. To use this feature, follow these steps:

1. Open your JSON file in Sublime Text.
2. Press Ctrl + K (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + K (Mac) to open the Command Palette.
3. Type "JSON: Format" in the Command Palette and select the option.

The built-in JSON formatter will format your JSON file, making it easier to read and understand. This method is quick and easy, but it may not offer as many options as external tools.

Configuring the Built-in JSON Formatter

You can configure the built-in JSON formatter to suit your needs. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open the Command Palette by pressing Ctrl + K (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + K (Mac).
2. Type "Preferences: JSON Formatting" in the Command Palette and select the option.
3. In the JSON Formatting settings, you can configure options such as indent size and line length.

Method 2: Using the JSONLint Plugin

JSONLint is a popular plugin for Sublime Text that provides advanced JSON formatting and validation features. To use JSONLint, follow these steps:

1. Install the JSONLint plugin from the Sublime Text Package Control.
2. Open your JSON file in Sublime Text.
3. Press Ctrl + Shift + L (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + Shift + L (Mac) to format the JSON file.

JSONLint offers advanced features such as syntax highlighting, error detection, and formatting options. It is a powerful tool for working with JSON files in Sublime Text.

Configuring JSONLint

You can configure JSONLint to suit your needs. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open the Command Palette by pressing Ctrl + K (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + K (Mac).
2. Type "JSONLint: Settings" in the Command Palette and select the option.
3. In the JSONLint settings, you can configure options such as indent size and line length.

Method 3: Using the JsFormat Plugin

JsFormat is a popular plugin for Sublime Text that provides advanced JavaScript and JSON formatting features. To use JsFormat, follow these steps:

1. Install the JsFormat plugin from the Sublime Text Package Control.
2. Open your JSON file in Sublime Text.
3. Press Ctrl + Shift + P (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + Shift + P (Mac) to open the Command Palette.
4. Type "JsFormat: Format" in the Command Palette and select the option.

JsFormat offers advanced features such as syntax highlighting, error detection, and formatting options. It is a powerful tool for working with JSON files in Sublime Text.

Configuring JsFormat

You can configure JsFormat to suit your needs. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open the Command Palette by pressing Ctrl + K (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + K (Mac).
2. Type "JsFormat: Settings" in the Command Palette and select the option.
3. In the JsFormat settings, you can configure options such as indent size and line length.

Method 4: Using an External Tool

You can also use an external tool to format your JSON files. One popular option is jq, a lightweight and flexible command-line JSON processor. To use jq, follow these steps:

1. Install jq on your system.
2. Open a terminal or command prompt.
3. Navigate to the directory containing your JSON file.
4. Run the command jq '.' file.json to format the JSON file.

jq is a powerful tool for working with JSON files, and it offers advanced features such as filtering and sorting.

Method 5: Using a Keyboard Shortcut

Sublime Text allows you to create custom keyboard shortcuts to format JSON files. To create a keyboard shortcut, follow these steps:

1. Open the Command Palette by pressing Ctrl + K (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + K (Mac).
2. Type "Preferences: Key Bindings" in the Command Palette and select the option.
3. In the Key Bindings settings, add a new key binding for formatting JSON files.

For example, you can add the following key binding:

{
    "keys": ["ctrl+shift+f"],
    "command": "json_format"
}

This key binding will format JSON files when you press Ctrl + Shift + F (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + Shift + F (Mac).