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

# JSON expander

> Extract values from JSON columns into separate, usable columns.

The JSON Expander extracts individual values from JSON columns and places them into their own columns, turning nested API response data into structured, usable table fields.

<Frame>
  <video muted loop playsInline controls preload="metadata">
    <source src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/databar/images/product-guide/json-expander.mp4" type="video/mp4" />
  </video>
</Frame>

<Info>
  JSON Expander is a **transformation**. It does **not** consume any credits.
</Info>

## How it works

Many enrichment APIs return complex JSON objects. The JSON Expander lets you visually browse those objects and select exactly which fields to extract, without writing any code.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Click on a JSON cell">
    Click any cell that contains JSON data in your table.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Browse in the sidebar panel">
    The JSON Expander opens in the right-side panel, keeping your table visible while you explore the JSON structure.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Map fields to columns">
    Browse the JSON structure and click **Map** next to any field to create a new column from that value. If the JSON contains a list of objects (e.g., `[{}, {}]`), you will also see a **Write to another table** option, which sends each item in the list as its own row into a separate table.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Key capabilities

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Nested JSON mapping">
    Map columns directly to nested JSON values without expanding into intermediate columns first.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Export JSON as column">
    Extract a full nested JSON object into a separate column, not just primitive text or number fields.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Parallel processing">
    JSON Expander runs up to 6x faster than before. Values are processed in parallel for large tables.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Side panel view">
    The expander lives in the right-side panel so you can keep your table context visible while working.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## When to use JSON Expander vs. JQ formulas

| Scenario                                               | Recommended tool                          |
| ------------------------------------------------------ | ----------------------------------------- |
| Quickly extract a few top-level or nested fields       | JSON Expander                             |
| Filter arrays, count items, or build custom structures | [JQ formulas](/product-guide/jq-formulas) |
| Non-technical users who prefer a visual interface      | JSON Expander                             |
| Complex transformations on deeply nested data          | [JQ formulas](/product-guide/jq-formulas) |

## Related

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="JQ formulas" href="/product-guide/jq-formulas">
    Use JQ expressions for advanced JSON manipulation.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Tables overview" href="/product-guide/tables-overview">
    Learn how tables work in Databar.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>