---
title: "JSON Deserialization"
slug: "json-deserialization"
tags: ["deserialization", "JSON", "XML", "XSD", "serialization"]
updated: 2025-08-06T14:56:16Z
published: 2025-08-06T14:56:16Z
canonical: "documentation.decisions.com/json-deserialization"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://documentation.decisions.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# JSON Deserialization

| ## Step Details |
| --- |
| **Introduced in Version** | --- |
| **Last Modified in Version** | 7.12.0 |
| **Location** | Data > JSON |

The JSON Deserialize converts a string of JSON data into its respective Decisions data object type. The data object type is picked via the Type drop-down, and the string is input via the String to Deserialize Input. This can help convert data that has come into a Flow via REST call into data that Decisions can use.

### Prerequisites

This step requires that a JSON type have already been created within the platform. This is one of the parameters that has to be set on the step. See [Creating Types From JSON](https://documentation.decisions.com/docs/creating-from-json) to learn more.

---

## Properties

#### Parameters

| Property | Description | Data Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Show Only User Defined JSON Types | Limits the type drop-down list to only show user-defined JSON Data Types | Boolean |
| IsOutputArray | Changes the step output to be a list of a type instead of a single type | Boolean |
| JSON Type | Type of string that the step will Deserialize | --- |

#### Inputs

| Property | Description | Data Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| String to Deserialize | The input variable to deserialize. | String |

#### Outputs

| Property | Description | Data Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| JsonDeserialize1_Output | The Deserialization step output variable, can be a list if the IsOuputArray checkbox is set to true. | Depends on JSON Type |
| Error Message | Output variable for the step error message | String |

![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2022-10-21_10h34_15.png)

---

## Example

1. From the Flow that was previously created using the [Serialization](https://documentation.decisions.com/step-library/docs/json-deserialization?highlight=Json) article, hover over the **Done** path of the **Json Serialize** step and click the plus icon.  
![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/image-1644953282400.png)
2. Navigate to **All Steps [Catalog] > Data > Json**, select the **Json Deserialize** step and click ADD.![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/image-1644953447980.png)
3. With the Json Deserialize step selected, map **Json Serialize_ Output** to **INPUTS > String to Deserialize**.  
![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/image-1644953528065.png)
4. Uncheck **Show Only User Defined JSON Type** under PARAMETERS.  
  
Then, under the **Type** field, enter "account" in the text box and select **Account [DecisionsFramework]**.  
![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/image-1644953629496.png)
5. In the OUTPUTS category, set **Output** to **Rename**. Then, enter "JSonDeserialize_Output" in the text box.  
  
Connect the Done path to the **End** step. Then, **Save** the Flow.  
![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/image-1644953868444.png)

### Debug

1. From the top Action Bar, click **Debug**. Then, click START DEBUGGING.
2. Click the **Json Deserialize** step. Click **Execution 1** and select **View Output Data**.
3. Verify that the **String** has been deserialized into each individual data member of the Account Data Type.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2022-02-15-14h39-48-Trim.gif)

Related Information

Forum Posts: [Json Deserialize](https://community.decisions.com/discussion/17094/json-deserialize) [JSON Deserialize Step Date Field Issue](https://community.decisions.com/discussion/3140/json-deserialize-step-date-field-issue) [JSON Deserialize Issue: MaxJsonLength Error](https://community.decisions.com/discussion/3065/json-deserialize-issue-maxjsonlength-error)