How can I convert/format a json string with bash

Question

I have the following string:

"{\n  \"type\": \"service_account\",\n  \"project_id\": \"my-project-123\",\n  \"time\": \"23:00:22.23124\"\n  }"

And I want a formatted JSON like this:

{
    "type":"service_account",
    "project_id":"my-project-123",
    "time":"23:00:22.23124"
}

Are the outer quotes part of the string, i.e., do you have x='"{\n \"type..."' or x="{\n \"type..."? — chepner
– chepner, Commented Apr 3, 2020 at 19:35
Did something encode a JSON value as a JSON string? You might want to use something like jq 'fromjson' yourfile.json — chepner
– chepner, Commented Apr 3, 2020 at 20:13

chepner · Accepted Answer · 2020-04-03 19:44:54Z

1

The -e option can expand \n within a string.

echo -e "put your string here"

chepner

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answered Apr 3, 2020 at 19:19

Cyrus

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7 Comments

printf "%s" ?

I suggest to replace %s with %b.

Anything that replaces echo -e ;)

This will expand all escape sequences, even if they occur inside JSON strings and should be treated literally.

@chepner: This is correct and possibly not intended.

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