Even if You’re Just Starting!

When I started learning automation with N8n, I ran into a strange word: JSON (pronounced “Jason” like a person’s name!).

At first, I thought, “Oh no, another tech thing that looks like alien code!”
But guess what?

JSON is just a simple way computers share information kind of like passing notes in class, but much tidier and understandable.

So, What Exactly is this JSON?

JSON stands for JavaScript Object Notation fancy, right?
But think of it like this,If your favorite game needed to tell another game what level you’re on and what your character’s name is, it would use JSON to send that info.

For example:

{
  "name": "Nancy",
  "level": 5,
  "isLearning": true
}

This just means:

• Your name is Nancy
• You’re on level 5
• You’re learning something new!

Why JSON is a Big Deal in N8n

When you connect apps inside N8n like sending data from Google Sheets to Gmail they all “talk” to each other using JSON.

Understanding JSON helps you:
✅ Pick out only the info you need (like someone’s name or due date)
✅ Change or “transform” that data to fit another app
✅ Fix issues when something doesn’t work
✅ Create cooler, more advanced automations

How JSON is Built: JSON data is like LEGO you build it piece by piece using:

• Objects (curly braces { }) — like labeled boxes
• Arrays (square brackets [ ]) — like lists
• Strings,Boolean,data,numbers etc.

Example:

{
  "students": ["Nancy", "John", "Aisha"],
  "topic": "N8n Automation",
  "progress": 80
}

That’s it! Just text that follows a pattern.

Real Example Inside N8n

Let’s say you’re pulling info from Monday.com:

{
  "id": "12345",
  "name": "Project Alpha",
  "status": "In Progress",
  "assignees": ["Nancy", "John"],
  "dueDate": "2025-10-20"
}

In N8n, you can grab bits of this using dot notation:

• {{$json.name}} → “Project Alpha”
• {{$json.assignees[0]}} → “Nancy”

It’s like giving directions: “Hey N8n, go to JSON, then open the ‘name’ box.”

Tips for Understanding JSON in N8n

1️⃣ Use N8n’s JSON viewer — it shows your data neatly!
2️⃣ Start small — practice with short JSON before big ones.
3️⃣ Test your expressions — N8n lets you check before running.
4️⃣ Master dot notation — it’s the secret to navigating JSON easily.

At first, JSON looked like a secret code.
But now, I see it as a powerful friend that helps my automations run smoothly.Each time I connect a new app, I peek at the JSON, play around, and figure out what’s inside. It’s like solving a puzzle and it’s actually fun!

See you in my next post!

#Automation #N8n #WorkflowAutomation #JSON #LearningInPublic #TechSkills#Tech