JSON Search & Replace

JSON Search & Replace

The JSON Search & Replace tool helps you find and replace keys or values across nested JSON quickly. It is useful for refactoring payloads, cleaning data, updating naming conventions, and preparing datasets for integration. Instead of editing large JSON files manually, you can search for a specific key or value and replace it everywhere in one step. The tool runs locally in your browser, so your data stays private.

Search and replace is especially important when you inherit large JSON payloads from third-party APIs or legacy systems. For example, you may need to rename a field across thousands of records, update a URL prefix, or replace outdated values. This tool automates that workflow and keeps your JSON valid.

What this tool can do

• Find specific keys or values across nested objects.
• Replace matched keys or values in one pass.
• Handle large JSON structures quickly.
• Preserve JSON validity after replacements.

How to use JSON Search & Replace

1. Paste JSON in the left editor.
2. Enter the search term (key or value).
3. Enter the replacement value.
4. Click Search & Replace to generate updated JSON.

Example: replace a value

Input JSON:

{
  "env": "dev",
  "services": [
    { "name": "api", "url": "https://dev.example.com" },
    { "name": "web", "url": "https://dev.example.com" }
  ]
}

Search: dev.example.com

Replace: prod.example.com

Output JSON:

{
  "env": "dev",
  "services": [
    { "name": "api", "url": "https://prod.example.com" },
    { "name": "web", "url": "https://prod.example.com" }
  ]
}

Example: replace a key name

Input JSON:

{
  "user_name": "Avi",
  "user_email": "avi@example.com"
}

Search key: user_

Replace with: user (or use exact rename with JSON Key Renamer)

Common errors and fixes

• Invalid JSON: Fix syntax errors with JSON Validator before replacing.
• Unintended replacements: If the search term is too broad, it may replace more than intended. Use exact matches when possible.
• Replacing keys vs values: Decide whether you are replacing keys, values, or both. For strict key renaming, use JSON Key Renamer.
• Case sensitivity: Ensure your search term matches the exact casing in the JSON.
• Broken JSON after replace: If you replace a value with invalid JSON syntax, the output may break. Keep replacements JSON-safe.

Best practices for safe replacements

• Validate JSON before and after replacement.
• Start with small replacements to confirm behavior.
• Use JSON Formatter for readability.
• Use a diff tool like JSON Compare to review changes.
• Keep a backup of original JSON for rollback.

Search strategy tips

Use specific search terms to avoid accidental replacements. If you are replacing URLs or IDs, search for the full string instead of partial fragments. For keys, prefer exact key names rather than common substrings.

When updating environments (dev → prod), run replacements in small steps and verify output using a diff tool. This prevents unintended changes to similar values.

Replace-only values vs keys

If you only need to update values, use search and replace with value matching. If you need to rename keys in a controlled way, use JSON Key Renamer, which supports explicit mappings. This reduces the risk of renaming unintended keys that contain the same substring.

Large JSON workflow

For very large files, split the JSON into smaller chunks using JSON Split, run replacements on each chunk, then recombine. This avoids browser slowdowns and keeps the process manageable.

If you are editing configuration files, keep a copy of the original in version control so you can revert quickly if a replacement goes wrong.

For datasets with many repeated values, run a small pilot replacement on a subset to confirm the change before applying it to the full dataset.

This reduces the risk of unintended replacements in production data.

Always review the output with a formatter or diff tool before publishing.

Search vs key renaming

Search & Replace is flexible but less precise than key mapping. If you need to rename specific keys with controlled mappings, use JSON Key Renamer. If you want to remove fields entirely, use JSON Remove Keys.

Use cases

URL updates: Replace base URLs in large JSON config files.

Refactoring: Update outdated field names across datasets.

Data cleanup: Replace placeholder values with real ones.

Environment changes: Switch values from dev to prod quickly.

Workflow checklist

1. Validate JSON to ensure it is well-formed.
2. Define the exact search term and replacement.
3. Run replace and check output.
4. Compare before and after for accuracy.
5. Save the updated JSON.

Troubleshooting tips

If replacements do not appear, verify case sensitivity and ensure the search term exists in the JSON. If the output becomes invalid, your replacement may have introduced invalid JSON (for example, unescaped quotes). Use the validator to confirm.

For key replacements that seem inconsistent, switch to the key renamer tool to apply explicit mappings instead of text-based replacement.

FAQs

Does it replace keys or values?
It can replace both. Use it carefully when changing keys.

Is my JSON uploaded?
No. All processing runs locally in your browser.

Can I replace multiple terms at once?
This tool replaces a single search term at a time. For multiple replacements, run it repeatedly or use a mapping tool.

Will replacements break JSON?
Only if the replacement value is not valid JSON. Keep replacements JSON-safe.

Does it support regex?
This tool focuses on direct matches. For advanced regex replacements, use scripts.

How do I confirm changes?
Use JSON Compare to see the diff.

Can I replace only keys?
Yes, but for precise renaming use JSON Key Renamer.

What if my JSON is huge?
Consider splitting it first with JSON Split.

Can I replace multiple values at once?
Run multiple passes or use a mapping list with JSON Key Renamer for key changes.

Does it preserve formatting?
The output is valid JSON; use the formatter if you need consistent spacing.

Can I search within nested arrays?
Yes. The tool searches across all nested values.

What about partial matches?
Partial matches can cause unintended replacements. Use exact terms for safer results.

Can I update URLs safely?
Yes. Search for the full URL or domain to avoid accidental replacements.

Keyword‑targeted phrases

• json search and replace
• find and replace json
• replace json keys
• replace json values
• json search tool online