How can I save Python data as readable, indented JSON?

Import the standard json module, open a separate output file in text write mode with an explicit UTF-8 encoding, and pass the file to json.dump. Set indent=2 to put JSON members and array elements on separate, indented lines. Without an indentation setting, the JSON output has no inserted newlines. [S1]

For example, replace this sample data with your own Python structure:

import json

data = {
    "name": "Mina",
    "items": ["notebook", "pen"],
    "active": True,
}

# Choose an output filename separate from your source sample.
with open("result.json", "w", encoding="utf-8") as file:
    json.dump(data, file, indent=2)

The example writes to result.json; it does not open a source file. json.dump writes the serialized object to the writable file, and the explicit encoding is set when opening it. [S1]

For the example data above, the file content is:

{
  "name": "Mina",
  "items": [
    "notebook",
    "pen"
  ],
  "active": true
}

The indentation and line breaks make the nested structure and separate values easier to scan. The indent=2 setting asks the encoder to pretty-print object members and array elements. [S1]

Your file will contain the values in your own data variable. Let the JSON encoder format the output rather than trying to arrange the JSON by hand.

Open the output file in read mode with UTF-8 encoding and pass its file object to json.load. Add this after the write step:

with open("result.json", "r", encoding="utf-8") as file:
    loaded_data = json.load(file)

print(loaded_data)

Use the same output path for this check that you used when writing. json.load reads JSON from a file object. [S2]

To preserve a source sample, give the output its own filename, such as result.json, rather than opening the source sample in 'w' mode. Write mode erases existing contents at the path being opened, so a separate output path avoids replacing that sample. [S1] [S2]

Keep the write and reload steps pointed at the same output file, and choose a path distinct from any source sample you need to preserve:

import json

data = {"status": "ready", "count": 3}  # Replace with your data.
output_path = "result.json"  # Separate from any source sample.

with open(output_path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as file:
    json.dump(data, file, indent=2)

with open(output_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as file:
    loaded_data = json.load(file)

The write step saves indented JSON; the read step loads it into a Python value. [S1] [S2] The reload check shows that the file can be read as JSON. It does not compare the loaded value with a separate expected result.