Storing JSON in an ASP.NET literal using C# and accessing it using JavaScript throws a "invalid character" error

Question

I am trying to store a JSON string inside an ASP.NET Literal Control. This JSON string is in this format:

[
    ['Time', 'Speed', 'Distance'],
    ['09-07-2015 2:21:39 PM', 76, 500],
    ['08-07-2015 6:02:41 PM', 350, 500],
    ['08-07-2015 5:55:43 PM', 10, 50],
    ['08-07-2015 5:55:36 PM', 50, 50],
    ['08-07-2015 5:55:21 PM', 180, 80],
    ['08-07-2015 5:51:38 PM', 100, null]
]

This is how I am adding it to literal:

Literal1.Text = "<input type='hidden' id='jsondata' value=\"" + JSONData + "\" />";

But actual JSON data that will be entered by the user may contain any character including " and '. And this JSON data is accessed inside JavaScript like:

function SetGraphData() {
    var hiddenField = $('#jsondata');
    jsonData = $.parseJSON(hiddenField.val());
}

But when parsing JSON, it's showing me Invalid character error. Please tell me what can be the reason?

JSON strings must be quoted with double-quote characters.

Pointy
– Pointy

2015-07-10 21:20:38 +00:00
Commented Jul 10, 2015 at 21:20 — Pointy
– Pointy, Commented Jul 10, 2015 at 21:20

Matti Virkkunen · Accepted Answer · 2015-07-10 21:21:00Z

2

JSON uses double quotes, not single quotes.

Also you should make sure to properly HTML escape your JSON data using something like HttpUtility.HtmlEncode, or since you're using ASP.NET, just use <asp:HiddenField> instead of your current contraption.

answered Jul 10, 2015 at 21:21

Matti Virkkunen

65.4k9 gold badges138 silver badges162 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

1 Comment

Aishwarya Shiva Over a year ago

Thanks. I used HtmlEncode and replaced single quotes with double quotes. It's working now. :)

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Storing JSON in an ASP.NET literal using C# and accessing it using JavaScript throws a "invalid character" error

1 Answer 1

1 Comment

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

1 Comment

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related