Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions and answers about the XML to JSON Converter tool.

General Questions

What is XML to JSON conversion?

XML to JSON conversion is the process of transforming XML (eXtensible Markup Language) data into JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) format. This is useful for modern web development, API integration, and data processing where JSON is preferred over XML.

Why would I need to convert XML to JSON?

Common reasons include:

API Integration: Converting XML responses from legacy systems to JSON
Modern Web Development: JSON is more commonly used in JavaScript applications
Data Migration: Moving from XML-based systems to JSON-based architectures
Configuration Management: Converting XML config files to JSON format
Data Processing: JSON is easier to work with in many programming languages

Is the conversion process secure?

Yes, the conversion is completely secure:

All processing happens locally in your browser
No data is sent to external servers
Your XML data never leaves your device
No third-party services are used

Technical Questions

What types of XML can be converted?

The converter supports:

Standard XML documents
XML with attributes
Nested XML structures
XML with namespaces
CDATA sections
Mixed content (text and elements)

How are XML attributes handled?

XML attributes are converted to JSON in two ways:

With attributes: Attributes become @attributes objects
Without attributes: Attributes are ignored in the conversion

Example:

<book id="123" category="fiction">Title</book>

Becomes:

{
  "book": {
    "@attributes": {
      "id": "123",
      "category": "fiction"
    },
    "#text": "Title"
  }
}

What happens to XML namespaces?

XML namespaces are preserved in the JSON output. Elements with namespaces keep their full qualified names:

<root xmlns:ns1="http://example.com">
  <ns1:element>value</ns1:element>
</root>

Becomes:

{
  "root": {
    "ns1:element": "value"
  }
}

How are arrays handled?

When multiple elements have the same name, they become JSON arrays:

<books>
  <book>Book 1</book>
  <book>Book 2</book>
</books>

Becomes:

{
  "books": {
    "book": ["Book 1", "Book 2"]
  }
}

What about mixed content?

Mixed content (elements with both text and child elements) is handled by storing text content in #text:

<description>This is <strong>bold</strong> text</description>

Becomes:

{
  "description": {
    "#text": "This is bold text",
    "strong": "bold"
  }
}

Usage Questions

How do I use the pretty print option?

The pretty print option formats the JSON output with proper indentation and line breaks for better readability. This is useful for:

Development and debugging
Documentation purposes
Human-readable output

Can I convert large XML files?

Yes, the converter can handle large XML files, but there are some limitations:

Browser memory constraints (typically 10-50MB depending on browser)
Processing time increases with file size
Very large files may cause browser performance issues

What if my XML is malformed?

The converter will display an error message if the XML is malformed. Common issues include:

Unclosed tags
Invalid characters
Malformed attributes
Incorrect nesting

Fix the XML syntax and try again.

Can I save my conversion history?

Yes, the converter automatically saves your conversion history locally in your browser. You can:

View previous conversions
Reload any previous conversion
Clear individual history items
Clear all history

How do I copy the converted JSON?

Click the "Copy" button to copy the JSON to your clipboard. You can then paste it into any application or editor.

Can I download the JSON as a file?

Yes, click the "Download" button to save the JSON as a file to your computer. The file will be named "converted.json" by default.

Browser and Compatibility

Which browsers are supported?

The converter works in all modern browsers:

Chrome 60+
Firefox 55+
Safari 12+
Edge 79+

Does it work on mobile devices?

Yes, the converter works on mobile devices, but the interface is optimized for desktop use. Large XML files may be challenging to work with on mobile due to screen size limitations.