Pulsars

XML to JSON Converter — Transform XML Documents to JSON

XML6 lines
JSON0 lines

XML (eXtensible Markup Language) and JSON are both structured data formats, but they serve different ecosystems. XML uses hierarchical tags with attributes and is prevalent in SOAP APIs, RSS feeds, SVG graphics, and enterprise systems. JSON uses lightweight key-value pairs and dominates REST APIs and modern web development. Converting XML to JSON is a common step when modernizing legacy systems or consuming XML-based APIs in JavaScript applications.

What are the key differences between XML and JSON?

XML supports attributes, namespaces, comments, and mixed content — features that have no direct JSON equivalent. JSON is more compact (typically 30-50% smaller), faster to parse, and natively supported in JavaScript. When converting, XML attributes are typically mapped to special keys (e.g., @attribute), and text content becomes a #text property.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the XML to JSON conversion handle repeated elements?

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When an XML parent has multiple child elements with the same tag name, they are automatically grouped into a JSON array. For example, <items><item>A</item><item>B</item></items> becomes {"items": {"item": ["A", "B"]}}. Single child elements remain as scalar values.

Are XML attributes preserved?

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The converter focuses on element content. XML attributes on elements are not currently extracted — only child elements and text content are converted. If your XML relies heavily on attributes, consider using an XSLT transform first or restructuring the data.

What happens with XML namespaces?

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XML namespaces are included as part of the tag name in the JSON output. For example, <ns:element> becomes a key named "ns:element" in JSON. The namespace declarations (xmlns) are not separately extracted.

Can I convert large XML files?

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Yes, within browser memory limits. The converter uses the browser's native DOMParser which is highly optimized. Files up to several megabytes convert instantly. For very large XML documents (100MB+), consider using a command-line tool like jq or xmlstarlet.

Is this safe for sensitive XML data?

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Yes. All parsing and conversion happens locally in your browser using JavaScript's native DOMParser. No data is sent to any server. Your XML content stays entirely on your device.