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I can't restore my bookmarks that I backed up because they appear to be a "file" type instead of "JSON".

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  • Last reply by paulgeiger

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I backed up my bookmarks before I re-formatted my computer. I used the Firefox backup tool. On the save screen, the only think I remember changing was the file name, but whatever I did made it be saved in a type other that the "JSON" file that Firefox recognizes. So, the file isn't recognized when I try to restore it using Firefox restore bookmarks. In Properties, it is simply called a "file" type, not "JSON". I can't open it with Firefox, only Microsoft Word (I think). All the data seems to be there as a long string of info that contain the links among alot of other data. Very complicated format. Is there any way to convert this to a JSON file that Firefox will recognize in order to restore the bookmarks? Thanks very much for any help.

I backed up my bookmarks before I re-formatted my computer. I used the Firefox backup tool. On the save screen, the only think I remember changing was the file name, but whatever I did made it be saved in a type other that the "JSON" file that Firefox recognizes. So, the file isn't recognized when I try to restore it using Firefox restore bookmarks. In Properties, it is simply called a "file" type, not "JSON". I can't open it with Firefox, only Microsoft Word (I think). All the data seems to be there as a long string of info that contain the links among alot of other data. Very complicated format. Is there any way to convert this to a JSON file that Firefox will recognize in order to restore the bookmarks? Thanks very much for any help.

Chosen solution

Viewing that file in a simple text editor program, if that file starts with {"title":"","id":1,"dateAdded": - just change the file suffix to json.

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Chosen Solution

Viewing that file in a simple text editor program, if that file starts with {"title":"","id":1,"dateAdded": - just change the file suffix to json.

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Sounds easy enough- but I don't know what kind of "text editor" to use. When I open it with Microsoft Word for example, it shows the text itself, which does appear like what you described, but I can't seem to find where to actually get it to show the file type with extension that I can edit. Can you be more specific on that? Thanks very much.

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You can try Windows Notepad. Microsoft Word is not good. Word will add extra information to the file and will damage it when edited.

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That worked! Thanks for the help.