# Source File requirements for JSON

**URL:** <https://community.transifex.com/t/source-file-requirements-for-json/5300>\
**Category:** Q&A\
**Created:** [March 26, 2026, 3:57pm UTC](https://community.transifex.com/t/source-file-requirements-for-json/5300 "2026-03-26T15:57:08Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![SeanCannon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f9ae1b/32.png) [@SeanCannon](https://community.transifex.com/u/SeanCannon)\
**Post date:** [March 26, 2026, 3:57pm UTC](https://community.transifex.com/t/source-file-requirements-for-json/5300/1 "2026-03-26T15:57:08Z")

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I have a pretty nested JSON file that I only want to translate 2 values. Is there a specific JSON structure allowed? or can any valid JSON structure be a source file?

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**Author:** ![colvera](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.transifex.com/colvera/32/3187_2.png) [@colvera](https://community.transifex.com/u/colvera)\
**Post date:** [March 26, 2026, 5:38pm UTC](https://community.transifex.com/t/source-file-requirements-for-json/5300/2 "2026-03-26T17:38:15Z")

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Hi @SeanCannon

This is Carlos from Transifex support, you can see in the following article an example of a JSON file. What is important is to use the KEYVALUEJSON as file format so nested content would be detected.

Let us know if this information helps you.

> **[JSON with ICU Plurals | Transifex Help Center](https://help.transifex.com/en/articles/6220806-json-with-icu-plurals)**
>
> Learn how to localize JSON key-value files (.json) using Transifex.

Best regards

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![SeanCannon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f9ae1b/32.png) [@SeanCannon](https://community.transifex.com/u/SeanCannon)\
**Post date:** [March 26, 2026, 5:49pm UTC](https://community.transifex.com/t/source-file-requirements-for-json/5300/3 "2026-03-26T17:49:35Z")

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Can I send you the file to see how it could be formatted to be able to be read?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![colvera](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.transifex.com/colvera/32/3187_2.png) [@colvera](https://community.transifex.com/u/colvera)\
**Post date:** [March 26, 2026, 5:59pm UTC](https://community.transifex.com/t/source-file-requirements-for-json/5300/4 "2026-03-26T17:59:27Z")

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Sure, as you can see also in the example below the structure should be something like the following

```auto
{
    "join": "Join",
    "nest": {
      "split": "Split",
      "another_nest": {
        "split": "Split"
      },
    "list": ["List", "Values", {"JSON": {"Embedded": "Document"}}]	
    },
	"files": "{count, plural, one {{count} file.} other {{count} files.}}"
}

```

Best regards,

Carlos Olvera

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![SeanCannon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f9ae1b/32.png) [@SeanCannon](https://community.transifex.com/u/SeanCannon)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2026, 2:04pm UTC](https://community.transifex.com/t/source-file-requirements-for-json/5300/5 "2026-03-27T14:04:03Z")

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I am going to try a different way…I have an unstructured Excel spreadsheet…I tried to up load it, but got this error

 ![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/transifex/original/2X/8/8ad1af828ce2182c5bd04c985800ea8909220f98.png)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Mylon](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.transifex.com/mylon/32/2139_2.png) [@Mylon](https://community.transifex.com/u/Mylon)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2026, 2:15pm UTC](https://community.transifex.com/t/source-file-requirements-for-json/5300/6 "2026-03-27T14:15:00Z")

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Hello @SeanCannon,

I am Antonis from the Transifex Customer Success team. I hope you’re well.

If you want to upload an unstructured Excel file please make sure you’re selecting the correct format from the drop-down:

 ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/transifex/original/2X/6/64cd73a7e2ed3eecf8c6e6aeddfa05cc16150363.png)

Please let us know if this helps.