JSON to C# Conversion

Convert JSON objects to C# classes instantly with intelligent property mapping.

Overview

The JSON to C# feature automatically generates C# classes from JSON data, saving time and reducing errors.

Basic Usage

Simple Conversion

Press Shift+F2 and enter:

{"name":"John","age":30}Person.cs

Generates:

namespace YourNamespace
{
    public class Person
    {
        public string Name { get; set; }
        public int Age { get; set; }
    }
}

With Folder

Create in a specific folder:

Models/{"name":"John","age":30}User.cs

Generates User.cs in the Models folder.

Nested Structures

For nested folders:

Models/Dto/{"id":1,"name":"Product"}ProductDto.cs

Creates folders and file automatically.

Supported JSON Features

Primitive Types

• Strings: "name": "value" → string Name
• Numbers: "age": 30 → int Age
• Decimals: "price": 19.99 → decimal Price
• Booleans: "active": true → bool Active

Complex Types

Null Values

• "value": null → string? Value (nullable reference types)

Arrays

• "tags": ["tag1", "tag2"] → List<string> Tags
• "numbers": [1,2,3] → List<int> Numbers

Nested Objects

{
  "user": {
    "name": "John",
    "email": "john@example.com"
  }
}

Generates two classes: main class and nested User class.

Mixed Arrays

Arrays with objects:

{
  "items": [
    {"id": 1, "name": "Item1"}
  ]
}

Generates Item class and List<Item> property.

Generated Class Features

Property Naming

JSON keys are converted to Pascal Case:

• "firstName" → FirstName
• "user_name" → UserName
• "email-address" → EmailAddress

Type Inference

Types are intelligently inferred:

• Whole numbers → int
• Decimals → decimal
• ISO dates → DateTime
• Arrays → List<T>
• Nested objects → Custom classes

Code Quality

Generated code includes:

• Proper formatting
• Correct namespace
• XML documentation (optional)
• Nullable reference types
• Standard conventions

Advanced Features

Multiple JSON Objects

Convert multiple JSON objects:

{"id":1,"name":"User"}User.cs, {"id":1,"title":"Post"}Post.cs

Default Class Name

Without specifying a name:

{"name":"value"}

Creates RootObject.cs by default.

Multiline JSON

For complex JSON, use the full editor:

1. Create a file first
2. Paste JSON
3. Use command “Convert JSON to C#“

Use Cases

API Response Models

Convert API responses:

1. Copy JSON response
2. Use Quick Add with JSON
3. Get C# models instantly

Configuration Classes

Convert config JSON to strongly-typed classes:

1. Copy appsettings.json section
2. Generate C# configuration class
3. Use with Options pattern

Test Data

Generate test models from sample data:

1. Create test JSON
2. Convert to C# class
3. Use in unit tests

Integration

With Solution Explorer

Generated classes:

• Appear immediately in tree
• Have correct namespace
• Are ready to use
• Integrate with IntelliSense

With Existing Code

• Can reference other types
• Work with dependency injection
• Serialize back to JSON easily

Tips

Better Type Inference

Provide sample data with:

• Realistic values
• All possible properties
• Varied data types
• Array with multiple items

Naming

Use descriptive class names:

• UserDto.cs for DTOs
• UserResponse.cs for API responses
• UserViewModel.cs for view models

Organizing

Group related models:

Models/Api/{"..."}UserResponse.cs
Models/Dto/{"..."}UserDto.cs

Troubleshooting

Invalid JSON

If JSON is invalid:

1. Check for missing quotes
2. Verify comma placement
3. Escape special characters
4. Use online JSON validator

Wrong Types Generated

If types are incorrect:

1. Provide better sample data
2. Manually adjust generated class
3. Use specific values (not null)

Namespace Issues

If namespace is wrong:

1. Check folder structure
2. Verify project root namespace
3. Use namespace adjustment feature