Get path of JSON value using JSON.NET

Question

I am trying to find a path of a JSON value. Consider the following JSON:

{
    "car": {
        "type": [{
            "sedan": {
                "make": "honda",
                "model": "civics"
            }
        },
        {
            "coupe": {
                "make": "ford",
                "model": "escort"
            }
        }]
    }
}

How can I get the path of the value "honda"? I'm looking to find something like this...

car_type_0_sedan_make_honda

Does JSON.NET support this? I see that there is a JToken.Path property but it is currently not available. http://json.codeplex.com/workitem/24136

Axiom255 · Accepted Answer · 2020-11-21 11:54:23Z

32

You could also try the SelectToken method like this:

var j = JObject.Parse(json);
var token = j.SelectToken("car.type[0].sedan.make");
Console.WriteLine(token.Path + " -> " + token.ToString());

Outputs:

car.type[0].sedan.make -> honda

edited Nov 21, 2020 at 11:54

answered Nov 10, 2014 at 0:39

Axiom255

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1 Comment

Lzh Over a year ago

I was looking for something like SelectToken because I thought an excellent library such as NewtonSoft.Json would have a nice feature like this :)

Brian Rogers · Accepted Answer · 2016-01-05 15:32:58Z

20

Update to the latest version of Json.NET. The Path property was added to JToken in version 5.0 release 1 (April 7, 2013).

Here is a test program you can use to verify that it works:

class Program
{
    static void Main(string[] args)
    {
        string json = @"
        {
            ""car"": {
                ""type"": [{
                    ""sedan"": {
                        ""make"": ""honda"",
                        ""model"": ""civics""
                    }
                },
                {
                    ""coupe"": {
                        ""make"": ""ford"",
                        ""model"": ""escort""
                    }
                }]
            }
        }";

        JObject obj = JObject.Parse(json);
        JToken token = obj["car"]["type"][0]["sedan"]["make"];
        Console.WriteLine(token.Path + " -> " + token.ToString());
    }
}

Output:

car.type[0].sedan.make -> honda

edited Jan 5, 2016 at 15:32

answered Nov 10, 2013 at 19:18

Brian Rogers

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3 Comments

duyn9uyen Over a year ago

I just installed the dll from NuGet but Visual Studio properties says Version 4.5.0.0. But looking in ~/packages/Newtonsoft.Json.5.0.8/Lib/net45, the properties on the file says version 5.0.8.16617. Anyway, I get this error [Method not found: 'System.String Newtonsoft.Json.LinqJToken.get_Path()'.]

Brian Rogers Over a year ago

It works for me. I added a test program to my answer that I used to test it. Is your project somehow referencing an older version of Json.Net? Do you have an old version installed in your GAC? If you run the above code in a new project, does that work? The version numbers you cited look correct-- the latest version has a DLL version of 5.0.8.16617 and an assembly version of 4.5.0.0.

duyn9uyen Over a year ago

I just tried this again on another computer and it works! I think you're right, my first computer must be referencing an old version somehow. I'll dig into that issue later but thank you so much!

Dennis Rosenbaum · Accepted Answer · 2018-04-26 12:50:39Z

5

There is also a way to retrieve the path just by the value, using linq. You will need Json.NET for this.

JObject jo = JObject.Parse(json);
var token = jo.Descendants()
                    .OfType<JProperty>()
                    .Where(p => p.Value.ToString() == "honda")
                    .First();

        Console.WriteLine(token.Path);

See: https://dotnetfiddle.net/vZ1zLg

answered Apr 26, 2018 at 12:50

Dennis Rosenbaum

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Comments

Sravan · Accepted Answer · 2013-11-10 18:23:15Z

-4

you can Convert the Json to dynamic object as below.

JavaScriptSerializer js=new JavaScriptSerializer();
var dataObject=Json.Decode(jsonString);

Then you can reflect over it and find out your string "honda" and construct the path as you like.

answered Nov 10, 2013 at 18:23

Sravan

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2 Comments

duyn9uyen Over a year ago

How would you search for value within the dataObject you have above?

Luis Filipe Over a year ago

var is not dynamic. Its type is inferred in compile-time.

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