How to Open JSON Files on Windows and Mac

Quick Tips

• On Mac, you can open the JSON file using the TextEdit app.
• On your Windows PC, you can open the JSON file on the Notepad app.
• Alternatively, you can drag and drop the JSON file on your web browser to view it.

How to Open JSON Files on Mac

Here are two ways to open JSON files on your Mac.

Method 1: Open JSON File Using TextEdit

Using TextEdit on a Mac to open JSON files allows for basic viewing and manual editing of the file’s contents. You can make changes, perform simple search and replace tasks, and save modifications.

Step 1: Navigate to the folder where the JSON file is present on your Mac.

Step 2: Right-click on the file. Select Open With -> TextEdit.app.

The JSON file will open in the TextEdit.app on your Mac.

Method 2: Open JSON Files in Safari

You can also open JSON files in a readable format in Safari on your Mac.

All you need to do is to open Safari and drag and drop the JSON file onto the browser window.

Or, you can copy the path address of the file (Right click on the file -> “Copy [filename] as Pathname.”) and paste it into the address bar in Safari.

How to Open JSON Files on Windows

Here’s how you can open JSON files on your Windows PC.

1. Open .JSON File Using Notepad

The simplest way to open a JSON file on Windows is with the Notepad app. Here’s how you can do it.

Step 1: Open the Notepad app on your PC.

Step 2: Click on File -> Open.

Step 3: Browse and select the file that you want to open.

Step 4: The JSON file will open up in the Notepad app.

2. Open JSON Files in a Web Browser on Windows

You can also open JSON files in the most popular web browsers on Windows, be it Google Chrome, Firefox, or Microsoft Edge.

• All you need to do is drag the file and drop it into the browser window on your PC.

• Alternatively, you can also copy the path address (right-click on the file -> Select ‘Copy as Path’), and paste it in the URL bar.

• However, make sure to remove the double quotes at the beginning and the end from the address before you paste it.

View JSON Files Online on Windows and Mac

Alternatively, you can view JSON files on a website on Windows and Mac. JSON Editor Online is a simple, free-to-use app on your web browser that lets you quickly view a JSON file.

Step 1: Open the JSON Editor online website.

Open JSON Editor Online

Step 2: Click on the folder icon. Select Open from disk.

The JSON file will open up in your web browser.

How to Edit JSON Files on Windows and Mac

Using a web browser, TextEdit (Mac), or Notepad (Windows) to open JSON files allows for basic viewing and manual editing of the file’s contents. You can make changes, perform simple search and replace tasks, and save modifications. However, the above tools lack specialized features for handling JSON files, such as syntax highlighting, automatic formatting, or validation.

Therefore, we recommend using an IDE (Integrated Development Environment) on your Windows and Mac to work and edit JSON files. Sublime Text and Visual Studio Code and two popular applications that natively support working with JSON files.

Download Sublime Text

Download Visual Studio