OPML to JSON Converter - Convert OPML to JSON Online

The OPML to JSON Converter is a free online tool that converts OPML (Outline Processor Markup Language) files to JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) format. OPML is an XML-based format commonly used for exchanging feed lists, blogrolls, and other hierarchical data structures, especially in RSS feed readers and podcast applications. This converter transforms OPML's XML structure into a clean, structured JSON format that's easier to work with in modern web applications and APIs.

What is OPML?

OPML (Outline Processor Markup Language) is an XML format designed for representing outlines. It's widely used for:

RSS Feed Subscriptions: Exporting and importing feed lists between RSS readers
Podcast Subscriptions: Sharing podcast subscription lists
Blogrolls: Lists of blogs or websites
Hierarchical Data: Any tree-structured information
News Aggregators: Managing feed collections

What is JSON?

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight data-interchange format that's easy for humans to read and write, and easy for machines to parse and generate. It's the de facto standard for data exchange in modern web applications, APIs, and services.

OPML Structure

An OPML file typically contains:

Head Section: Metadata like title, dateCreated, dateModified
Body Section: Contains outline elements in a hierarchical structure
Outline Elements: Can have attributes like text, title, type, xmlUrl, htmlUrl, and nested child outlines

How to Use the OPML to JSON Converter

Input OPML Data: Paste your OPML XML content into the input field, or upload an OPML file
Auto Conversion: The conversion happens automatically as you type (with a 500ms delay)
Manual Conversion: Click the "Convert" button for immediate conversion
View JSON Output: The converted JSON will appear in the output field
Copy or Download: Use the copy button or download the JSON file

Key Features

Automatic Conversion: Real-time conversion as you type with debouncing
File Upload Support: Upload .opml or .xml files directly
Hierarchical Structure: Preserves the nested outline structure in JSON
Attribute Preservation: All OPML attributes are preserved in the JSON output
Pretty Printing: JSON output is formatted with proper indentation
Error Handling: Clear error messages for invalid OPML/XML
Sample Data: Load sample OPML to test the tool
Copy & Download: Easy copying and downloading of converted JSON

OPML to JSON Conversion Process

The converter processes OPML files as follows:

XML Parsing: Parses the OPML XML using the browser's DOMParser
Structure Extraction: Extracts the version, head, and body sections
Recursive Outline Parsing: Recursively processes all outline elements and their children
Attribute Mapping: Maps all XML attributes to JSON object properties
JSON Generation: Converts the parsed structure to formatted JSON

Example Conversion

Here's an example of how OPML is converted to JSON:

OPML Input:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<opml version="2.0">
  <head>
    <title>My Feeds</title>
  </head>
  <body>
    <outline text="Tech" title="Technology">
      <outline type="rss" text="TechCrunch" xmlUrl="https://techcrunch.com/feed/"/>
    </outline>
  </body>
</opml>

JSON Output:

{
  "version": "2.0",
  "head": {
    "title": "My Feeds"
  },
  "body": {
    "outlines": [
      {
        "text": "Tech",
        "title": "Technology",
        "outlines": [
          {
            "type": "rss",
            "text": "TechCrunch",
            "xmlurl": "https://techcrunch.com/feed/"
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}

Use Cases

RSS Feed Migration: Convert OPML feed lists to JSON for API integration
Podcast App Development: Import OPML subscriptions into custom podcast applications
Data Processing: Convert OPML data for processing with JavaScript/Node.js
API Integration: Transform OPML exports for use in REST APIs
Feed Aggregation: Process OPML files for feed aggregation services
Data Analysis: Convert OPML to JSON for data analysis and reporting
Backup & Restore: Convert OPML backups to JSON format for storage
Integration Tools: Bridge OPML-based systems with JSON-based applications

OPML Attributes

Common OPML outline attributes that are preserved in JSON:

text: Display text for the outline
title: Title of the outline
type: Type of outline (e.g., "rss", "link", "folder")
xmlUrl: URL for RSS/XML feed
htmlUrl: URL for HTML page
description: Description of the outline
language: Language code
version: Version information

Best Practices

Validate OPML: Ensure your OPML file is well-formed XML before conversion
Check Structure: Verify that nested outlines are properly structured
Preserve Attributes: Important attributes like xmlUrl and htmlUrl are preserved in JSON
Handle Large Files: For very large OPML files, conversion may take a moment
Test Output: Always verify the JSON output matches your expectations
Backup Originals: Keep a backup of your original OPML files

Common OPML Sources

RSS Readers: Feedly, NewsBlur, The Old Reader export OPML
Podcast Apps: Overcast, Pocket Casts, Apple Podcasts support OPML
Blogrolls: WordPress and other platforms export blogrolls as OPML
Feed Aggregators: Many feed aggregation services use OPML

JSON Structure Benefits

Converting OPML to JSON provides several advantages:

Native JavaScript Support: JSON is natively supported in JavaScript
API Compatibility: Most modern APIs use JSON
Easier Parsing: JSON.parse() is simpler than XML parsing
Database Storage: Many databases have native JSON support
Web Application Integration: Seamless integration with web apps

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between OPML and JSON?

OPML is an XML-based format specifically designed for outlines and hierarchical data, commonly used for RSS feed subscriptions. JSON is a lightweight data-interchange format that's more widely used in modern web applications. Converting OPML to JSON makes the data easier to work with in JavaScript applications and APIs.

Can I convert JSON back to OPML?

This tool only converts from OPML to JSON. For reverse conversion (JSON to OPML), you would need a separate JSON to OPML converter tool. However, the JSON structure preserves all the information needed to reconstruct the original OPML.

Does the converter preserve all OPML attributes?

Yes, the converter preserves all attributes from OPML outline elements, including text, title, type, xmlUrl, htmlUrl, description, and any custom attributes. All attributes are mapped to JSON object properties.

Can I upload OPML files?

Yes, you can use the file upload button in the input field to upload .opml or .xml files directly. The converter will process the file content and provide the JSON output.

What happens to nested outlines in the conversion?

Nested outlines are preserved in the JSON structure. Child outlines are stored in an "outlines" array within their parent outline object, maintaining the hierarchical structure of the original OPML.

Is the conversion lossless?

The conversion preserves all data from the OPML file, including all attributes and the hierarchical structure. However, XML-specific features like namespaces and processing instructions are not preserved, as they're not part of the standard OPML structure.

Can I use this for RSS feed migration?

Yes, this tool is perfect for RSS feed migration. You can export your feeds as OPML from your current RSS reader, convert them to JSON using this tool, and then import them into applications that accept JSON format.

What if my OPML file has errors?

If your OPML file has XML syntax errors or is malformed, the converter will display a clear error message indicating what went wrong. Make sure your OPML file is valid XML and follows the OPML specification.