How can you convert XML to JSON and then back to XML using JavaScript?

General Discussions
, ,
1

I’ve come across some tools like xml2json, but they aren’t always fully consistent. Has anyone else worked with javascript xml to json conversions and found a reliable approach?

2

I’ve been working with server-side JavaScript for a few years now, and when it comes to javascript xml to json conversions, xml2js has been my rock. Here’s the quick way I usually handle it in Node.js:

const xml2js = require('xml2js');
const parser = new xml2js.Parser();
parser.parseString(xml, (err, result) => {
  console.log(result); // JSON object
});

// To convert back:
const builder = new xml2js.Builder();
const xml = builder.buildObject(json);

It’s super reliable if you’re dealing with complex nesting. Plus, the output stays pretty readable, making your javascript xml to json work feel less like untangling spaghetti. Definitely my go-to for server environments!

3

Jumping in — I’ve worked a lot with front-end apps, and honestly, if you’re handling lighter XML in the browser, you can skip the heavy libraries. For javascript xml to json on the client side, I usually do it like this:

const parser = new DOMParser();
const xmlDoc = parser.parseFromString(xmlStr, "text/xml");
const json = { title: xmlDoc.getElementsByTagName("title")[0].textContent };

// And back:
const xml = `<title>${json.title}</title>`;

It’s a super lightweight method when your XML is small and manageable. You manually map fields, so it’s lean and fast. Not as full-featured as xml2js, but for straightforward javascript xml to json needs in-browser, it keeps things clean and fast!

4

Adding on — in my experience working on larger applications, sometimes you need a middle ground between simplicity and power. When the XML is heavy or needs fine-tuned control, fast-xml-parser really shines for javascript xml to json tasks:

const parser = require('fast-xml-parser');
const jsonObj = parser.parse(xml);

// And to go back:
const builder = new parser.j2xParser();
const xmlOutput = builder.parse(jsonObj);

It’s super quick and supports deeper nesting, attributes, and text nodes really well. Especially useful when you need precision without bloating your project. Honestly, fast-xml-parser has saved me tons of headaches on complex javascript xml to json conversions!