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Json.NET

Querying JSON with SelectToken

 

SelectToken provides a method to query LINQ to JSON using a single string path to a desired JToken. SelectToken makes dynamic queries easy because the entire query is defined in a string.

SelectToken

SelectToken is a method on JToken and takes a string path to a child token. SelectToken returns the child token or a null reference if a token couldn't be found at the path's location.

The path is made up of property names and array indexes separated by periods, e.g. Manufacturers[0].Name.

SelectToken Example
Copy
JObject o = JObject.Parse(@"{
  'Stores': [
    'Lambton Quay',
    'Willis Street'
  ],
  'Manufacturers': [
    {
      'Name': 'Acme Co',
      'Products': [
        {
          'Name': 'Anvil',
          'Price': 50
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      'Name': 'Contoso',
      'Products': [
        {
          'Name': 'Elbow Grease',
          'Price': 99.95
        },
        {
          'Name': 'Headlight Fluid',
          'Price': 4
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}");

string name = (string)o.SelectToken("Manufacturers[0].Name");
// Acme Co

decimal productPrice = (decimal)o.SelectToken("Manufacturers[0].Products[0].Price");
// 50

string productName = (string)o.SelectToken("Manufacturers[1].Products[0].Name");
// Elbow Grease
SelectToken with JSONPath

SelectToken supports JSONPath queries. Find out more about JSONPath here.

SelectToken With JSONPath
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JObject o = JObject.Parse(@"{
  'Stores': [
    'Lambton Quay',
    'Willis Street'
  ],
  'Manufacturers': [
    {
      'Name': 'Acme Co',
      'Products': [
        {
          'Name': 'Anvil',
          'Price': 50
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      'Name': 'Contoso',
      'Products': [
        {
          'Name': 'Elbow Grease',
          'Price': 99.95
        },
        {
          'Name': 'Headlight Fluid',
          'Price': 4
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}");

// manufacturer with the name 'Acme Co'
JToken acme = o.SelectToken("$.Manufacturers[?(@.Name == 'Acme Co')]");

Console.WriteLine(acme);
// { "Name": "Acme Co", Products: [{ "Name": "Anvil", "Price": 50 }] }

// name of all products priced 50 and above
IEnumerable<JToken> pricyProducts = o.SelectTokens("$..Products[?(@.Price >= 50)].Name");

foreach (JToken item in pricyProducts)
{
    Console.WriteLine(item);
}
// Anvil
// Elbow Grease
SelectToken with LINQ

SelectToken can be used in combination with standard LINQ methods.

SelectToken With LINQ Example
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IList<string> storeNames = o.SelectToken("Stores").Select(s => (string)s).ToList();
// Lambton Quay
// Willis Street

IList<string> firstProductNames = o["Manufacturers"].Select(m => (string)m.SelectToken("Products[1].Name")).ToList();
// null
// Headlight Fluid

decimal totalPrice = o["Manufacturers"].Sum(m => (decimal)m.SelectToken("Products[0].Price"));
// 149.95
See Also