JSON Format Transformer
Convert JSON to and from YAML, CSV, XML, and TOML formats instantly. Bidirectional transformations with automatic format detection and intelligent conversion handling.
Transform Between Multiple Data Formats
Working with APIs, configuration files, or data exports often requires converting between different serialization formats. Our transformer supports bidirectional conversion between JSON, YAML, CSV, XML, and TOML, making it easy to integrate with any system or tool.
Supported Formats
- JSON: JavaScript Object Notation - the universal data interchange format
- YAML: Human-readable configuration format used in Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD
- CSV: Comma-separated values for spreadsheets and tabular data (array of objects only)
- XML: Extensible Markup Language for legacy systems and SOAP APIs
- TOML: Tom's Obvious Minimal Language for configuration files (Rust, Hugo)
Common Use Cases
- Convert API responses (JSON) to Kubernetes configs (YAML)
- Transform database exports (CSV) to API payloads (JSON)
- Migrate legacy XML configurations to modern YAML or TOML
- Generate Excel-compatible CSV from JSON API data
- Convert Rust config files (TOML) to JSON for JavaScript tools
Format-Specific Notes
CSV: Only supports flat arrays of objects. Nested objects must be flattened first. Headers are automatically detected from object keys.
TOML: Does not support top-level arrays, null values, or mixed-type arrays. Wrap arrays in an object before converting.
XML: Automatically wraps JSON in a root element if needed. Attributes are prefixed with @_ when converting to JSON.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I convert directly between non-JSON formats?
Yes! The transformer automatically uses JSON as an intermediate format. For example, YAML → CSV converts via YAML → JSON → CSV internally.
Why does CSV conversion fail for nested objects?
CSV is a flat, tabular format that can't represent nested structures. Your JSON must be an array of flat objects (like database rows) to convert to CSV.
How do I swap formats quickly?
Click the swap button (⇄) between the format selectors to instantly reverse the conversion direction and transfer the output to the input field.
Are comments preserved in YAML/TOML?
No, comments are lost during conversion since JSON doesn't support comments. The parsers strip comments when reading YAML or TOML.
What happens to XML attributes?
When converting XML to JSON, attributes are prefixed with @_ (e.g., <item id="1"> becomes {"@_id": 1}). Converting back to XML preserves these attributes.
One Format In, Another Format Out
Different tools speak different languages. Your API returns JSON. Kubernetes wants YAML. Your database exports CSV. That legacy system only understands XML. You're stuck converting between formats manually or finding separate tools for each conversion.
This transformer handles all of it. JSON to YAML for config files. CSV to JSON for API imports. XML to JSON for legacy integrations. TOML to JSON for Rust configs. Any direction, instant conversion. Plus operations like flattening nested structures, sorting keys alphabetically, or encoding data for URLs.
Supported Formats
- JSON: JavaScript Object Notation - the universal data interchange format
- YAML: Human-readable configuration format used in Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD
- CSV: Comma-separated values for spreadsheets and tabular data (array of objects only)
- XML: Extensible Markup Language for legacy systems and SOAP APIs
- TOML: Tom's Obvious Minimal Language for configuration files (Rust, Hugo)
Common Use Cases
- Convert API responses (JSON) to Kubernetes deployments (YAML)
- Turn database exports (CSV) into JSON for API consumption
- Modernize legacy XML configs into YAML or TOML
- Export JSON data to CSV for Excel analysis and reporting
- Convert Rust Cargo configs (TOML) to JSON for JavaScript tooling
Format-Specific Notes
CSV: Only works with flat data. Your JSON must be an array of objects where each object has the same structure—like database rows. Nested objects need flattening first. Headers come from the first object's keys.
TOML: Has limitations. No top-level arrays allowed. No null values. No mixed-type arrays. If your JSON hits these restrictions, wrap it in an object or convert nulls to empty strings before transforming.
XML: Needs a root element. If your JSON doesn't have one, the converter adds it automatically. Attributes get prefixed with @_ when going to JSON. Converting back preserves them as attributes in the XML output.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I convert directly between non-JSON formats?
Yes. The tool uses JSON as an intermediate step internally. Want YAML to CSV? It converts YAML → JSON → CSV behind the scenes. You just see the final result. Works for any format combination.
Why does CSV conversion fail for nested objects?
CSV is fundamentally flat. It's designed for tabular data—rows and columns, like a spreadsheet. Nested objects and arrays don't fit that model. Your JSON needs to be an array of simple objects (no nesting) to convert successfully. Use the flatten operation first if you need to convert nested data.
How do I swap formats quickly?
Hit the swap button (⇄) between the format selectors. It reverses the conversion direction and moves the output to the input field. Useful when you're going back and forth testing conversions or need to chain multiple transformations.
Are comments preserved in YAML/TOML?
No. JSON doesn't support comments, so they get stripped during parsing. If you convert YAML with comments to JSON and back, those comments are gone. This is a limitation of JSON itself, not the transformer. If preserving comments is critical, avoid round-tripping through JSON.
What happens to XML attributes?
When XML converts to JSON, attributes get prefixed with @_. So <item id="5"> becomes {"@_id": 5} in JSON. Converting back recognizes that prefix and recreates the attributes properly. It's not pretty, but it preserves the structure reliably.