How to Inspect JSON with a Notepad++ Plugin

Start by saving a copy of the original text. This gives you an unchanged reference if you format the document, experiment with an edit, or need to compare it with a later response. For sensitive material, use a local file and avoid copying its contents into unfamiliar services.

In Notepad++, open Plugins Admin and look for JSON Viewer. Check the available plugin information and compatibility before installing it, then follow any restart prompt. If your installation does not offer Plugins Admin, consult the editor and plugin documentation for an appropriate installation method.

Open your JSON file and use the plugin's formatting command. Depending on the plugin version and command, you may need to select the JSON text first. Successful formatting should make objects and arrays easier to distinguish, with nested values indented beneath their containing structure.

If the plugin cannot parse the text, check for common JSON mistakes: trailing commas, single-quoted strings, missing closing brackets, or property names without double quotes. Comments are not part of standard JSON either. An error location is a useful starting point, although the underlying mistake may occur earlier in the document.

Once the document parses, use the tree view to inspect the sections that matter. Check whether a value is a string, number, boolean, null, object, or array; these differences can affect how software handles it. Finish by comparing the contents with the expected fields and values, rather than assuming that readable formatting proves the data is correct.