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Convert JSON Data to XML Convert JSON data to well-formed XML with customizable root and item tags.

JSON to XML illustration
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JSON to XML

Convert JSON data to well-formed XML with customizable root and item tags.

1

Paste JSON

Paste your JSON data into the input field.

2

Configure tags

Set Root tag and Item tag using the input fields.

3

Copy XML

Copy the XML output for use in your applications.

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What Is JSON to XML?

JSON to XML is a data converter that transforms JavaScript Object Notation data into well-formed Extensible Markup Language documents. Developers working with legacy systems, SOAP services, and RSS feeds use it to convert JSON data into a format compatible with these applications. One specific problem it solves is handling nested JSON objects, which can be tricky to map to XML elements.

It uses recursive transformation to convert JSON structures into XML elements, where objects become parent elements with child elements for each key, arrays create repeating elements, and primitive values become text content. The output includes an XML declaration and proper XML character escaping using functions like `escapeXml` to replace special characters.

This converter also allows users to customize the root tag and item tag through input fields, providing flexibility in the conversion process. For example, given a JSON input like `{"users":[{"name":"John","age":30},{"name":"Jane","age":25}]}`, it can produce an XML output with a specified root tag and item tag, such as `<root><item><name>John</name><age>30</age></item><item><name>Jane</name><age>25</age></item></root>`. This makes it a practical choice for developers working with data in both JSON and XML formats.

Why Use JSON to XML?

  • Extracts data from JSON input in real-time to convert it into XML format
  • Handles edge cases like null or undefined values automatically by replacing them with self-closing tags
  • Supports conversion of nested objects and arrays using the jsonToXmlString function
  • Allows users to customize the root tag and item tag for the resulting XML output
  • Escapes special characters like & and < to ensure valid XML output is generated from the original JSON data

Common Use Cases

Converting JSON Data to XML for SOAP API Integration

When integrating with legacy systems, developers often need to convert modern data formats. It supports this conversion by transforming JSON objects into valid XML strings. This enables direct communication between disparate systems.

XML Output Generation from JSON Input Files

Data analysts working with statistical software require specific file formats for input and output operations. Given a JSON file containing survey results, the tool generates an equivalent XML representation that can be imported into specialized analysis tools. The resulting XML retains all original data structures and relationships.

Transforming Nested JSON Objects to XML Hierarchies

Complex data structures like nested objects pose challenges during format conversions. By recursively processing these nested structures, it creates a mirrored XML hierarchy that preserves the original relationships between elements. This facilitates accurate data representation in tree-like formats.

Creating Valid XML Documents from JSON Schema Definitions

Schema definitions serve as blueprints for structured data, outlining expected properties and their types. Using such schema definitions written in JSON, developers can produce corresponding XML documents that adhere to these predefined structures, ensuring consistency across different data representations.

XML Conversion for JSON-Based Configuration Files

Applications often rely on configuration files to store settings and preferences. When converting from JSON-based configurations to XML, the tool ensures all parameters are correctly translated into their XML equivalents, allowing for smooth transitions between different configuration formats without loss of data integrity.

Generating XML Schemas from Sample JSON Data

To establish a common understanding of data structures within teams or organizations, defining schemas is crucial. Starting with sample JSON datasets, developers use the tool to derive equivalent XML schema definitions that outline permissible elements and their attributes, thus guiding future data creation and exchange.

Technical Guide

The converter utilizes the `JSON.parse` method to parse the input JSON string into a JavaScript object, which is then passed to the recursive transformation function `jsonToXmlString`. This function employs a helper function `convert` to recursively traverse the object's properties and generate corresponding XML elements. For objects, it uses `Object.entries` to iterate over key-value pairs, sanitizing keys with the `sanitizeTag` function to replace invalid characters with underscores.

When encountering arrays, the converter maps each item to an XML element using the provided `itemTag`. Primitive values are converted to strings and wrapped in their respective parent elements. The `escapeXml` function replaces special characters in text content with standard XML entities, ensuring well-formed output. Null or undefined values result in self-closing empty elements.

The recursive transformation preserves the original JSON structure's nesting depth, with each level adding two spaces of indentation in the resulting XML string. This is achieved through the `pad` function, which generates the necessary whitespace based on the current recursion level. The final XML output includes an XML declaration specifying version 1.0 and UTF-8 encoding.

The converter also interacts with React components, specifically using `useState` to manage state for customizable root and item tags. These values are passed as arguments to the recursive transformation function, allowing users to control the resulting XML structure through input fields in the `TextToolLayout` component. The `useCallback` hook ensures that the `onProcess` function is recreated only when necessary, optimizing performance by minimizing unnecessary re-renders.

Tips & Best Practices

  • 1
    Validate your JSON first — invalid JSON will produce an error message.
  • 2
    Use custom root and item tags to match your target XML schema.
  • 3
    Sanitize tag names to prevent invalid XML characters.
  • 4
    Key order from the original JSON is preserved in the XML output.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q Is the output valid XML?
Yes, the output is well-formed XML 1.0 with UTF-8 encoding and proper escaping of special characters.
Q Can I customize the root and item tags?
Yes, you can specify custom root and item tag names through the input fields. For example, setting root to 'users' wraps all data in a <users> element.
Q How are special characters handled?
Special characters like &, <, >, and " are replaced with their XML entities (&amp;, &lt;, &gt;, &quot;) to ensure valid output.
Q Can I convert XML back to JSON?
Yes, use our XML to JSON converter for the reverse transformation.
Q Does it handle deeply nested JSON?
Yes, the converter handles JSON of any nesting depth, producing properly indented XML output.

About This Tool

JSON to XML is a free online tool by FreeToolkit.ai. All processing happens directly in your browser — your data never leaves your device. No registration or installation required.