How can I format JSON document in Visual Studio Community 2019?

Question

I tried Ctrl + K, Ctrl + D, but it only works for *.cs files. JSON file has no errors and it isn't big, but when I press Ctrl + K, Ctrl + D it says the command is unavailable. I tried some other combos that I've found in the internet but they don't work at all. I also don't have text editor options for JSON. Do I have to install something additionally for them to appear?

I have Visual Studio Community 2019 16.4.4 and Windows 10 x64.

is the extension of the file .json? if not, you could try to set the type of the file manually (at least in Visual Studio Code you can do that: at the bottom right of the screen) — andre, Feb 04 '20 at 01:20

score 23 · Answer 1 · edited Sep 09 '21 at 08:44

23

If I understood your question, Ctrl+A, Ctrl+K+F works for me.

Before formatting:

After formatting:

edited Sep 09 '21 at 08:44

ZygD

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answered Sep 09 '21 at 08:36

ATyrneno

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score 10 · Answer 2 · answered Jan 12 '22 at 09:26

10

None of the above worked for me.

Instead

ALT + SHIFT + F

did the job!

answered Jan 12 '22 at 09:26

sscalvo

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it works!! easy!! thank you – Gabriel Chaves Becchi Jan 12 '22 at 16:27
Just brings up the File menu in my Visual Studio – nivs1978 May 04 '22 at 11:06
@nivs1978 According to the official documentation (https://code.visualstudio.com/shortcuts/keyboard-shortcuts-windows.pdf) the secuence is Shift+Alt+F (same keys but in different order from what i posted). Give it a try.. – sscalvo May 05 '22 at 07:24

score 5 · Answer 3 · answered Mar 16 '21 at 18:16

5

You could copy your code into a blank JSON file using the menus. I'm using Microsoft Visual Studio Community 2019 Version 16.8.5.

File -->New-->File-->Web-->JSON File

Then you can right click and choose Format Document.

answered Mar 16 '21 at 18:16

Pfalbaum

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if web modules are not installed there won't be json file option in menu. – Faisal Imran Jul 31 '21 at 09:36
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Funny how they want you to install web stuff despite JSON having become the default configuration format for .NET Core / 5+ (desktop) projects too... sigh – Ray Feb 09 '22 at 16:07

score 1 · Answer 4 · answered Sep 18 '20 at 14:56

1

First CTRL+E then press key D.

answered Sep 18 '20 at 14:56

Pancho Guevara

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This does nothing. – Necronomicron Sep 26 '20 at 16:27
In VS 2022, this was the hotkey for me. Right-clicking in the document showed "Ctrl + E, D" as "Format Document". – Wiseguy Dec 06 '22 at 19:01
This worked for me in VS2022 with R#2022. – Artie Leech Feb 08 '23 at 11:05

score 1 · Answer 5 · edited May 28 '22 at 22:33

1

Ctrl+K, Ctrl+D is short key for formatting code in Visual Studio, but you need to have a web module (such as Node.js or ASP.NET) installed to format JSON.

Modify or Installing Components in Visual Studio

Visual Studio Components

edited May 28 '22 at 22:33

Jeremy Caney

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answered Jul 31 '21 at 09:36

Faisal Imran

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score -1 · Answer 6 · answered Dec 26 '20 at 09:14

Ctrl+K, Ctrl+D works for me in VS2019 My file has the .json extension. I'm using Json.Net in my project as well.

If you're having problems, there are a few packages you could import to do it through code . See:

How can I format JSON document in Visual Studio Community 2019?

6 Answers6