# Which program should I use to edit json files?

**URL:** <https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/which-program-should-i-use-to-edit-json-files/20580>\
**Category:** The Toolbox\
**Created:** [June 27, 2019, 9:35pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/which-program-should-i-use-to-edit-json-files/20580 "2019-06-27T21:35:34Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Bio](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/bio/32/6690_2.png) [@Bio](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Bio)\
**Post date:** [June 27, 2019, 9:35pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/which-program-should-i-use-to-edit-json-files/20580/1 "2019-06-27T21:35:34Z")

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which program is best for editing json files? notepad? or are there better programs for this?

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**Author:** ![TheMurderUnicorn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/themurderunicorn/32/5706_2.png) [@TheMurderUnicorn](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/TheMurderUnicorn)\
**Post date:** [June 27, 2019, 9:44pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/which-program-should-i-use-to-edit-json-files/20580/2 "2019-06-27T21:44:26Z")

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notepad++

It’s a free program. It numbers your lines, which is sometimes helpful. It also has a json language mode, which will color-code things. Some other little bonuses – autofilling words that already exist in the document comes in handy and cuts down on typos.  
Highly recommend it.

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**Author:** ![i73](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/i73/32/6846_2.png) [@i73](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/i73)\
**Post date:** [July 29, 2019, 1:39am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/which-program-should-i-use-to-edit-json-files/20580/3 "2019-07-29T01:39:06Z")

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> [@Bio](#):
>
> which program is best for editing json files?

I would go with VS code with the json extension installed, it’s a full IDE that’s made for developers across all languages and frameworks.

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**Author:** ![Malkeus](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/malkeus/32/12037_2.png) [@Malkeus](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Malkeus)\
**Post date:** [July 29, 2019, 2:51am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/which-program-should-i-use-to-edit-json-files/20580/4 "2019-07-29T02:51:11Z")

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I use several programs when editing .json files.

Effective File Search - For finding a particular string of text among any number of files across any number of directories. Very handy when modding to find working examples of what you’re trying to do.

Notepad++ - As TheMurderUnicorn mentioned, it’s just great for editing. I will add that it has a dual panel mode to view 2 files side by side. There are also MANY plugins available to download, via the Plugin Manager. I make a lot of use of the ‘compare’ plugin.

Github Desktop - I use this to both keep tabs on my fellow modders work and to publish my own mods or submit changes to others projects.

Greenshot - A free screen capturing program. Handy for showing things off or bug reports or really anything.