# JSON Serialization When you use Grid or other data-bound components, ensure that the property name casing does not change during serialization. The data-bound Telerik UI components like the Grid, Scheduler, ListView, and more, depend on Pascal case-formatted response from the server. However, the default casing for JSON strings in ASP.NET Core is Camel case. If the serializer changes the casing to Camel, the data-bound components cannot display the data correctly. This document describes the recommended approaches to maintain the Pascal case in different ASP.NET Core versions. ## Configure JSON Serialization in ASP.NET Core 6 and the Minimal Hosting Model For applications using .NET 6 and the [minimal hosting model](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/aspnet/core/migration/50-to-60?view=aspnetcore-6.0\&tabs=visual-studio#new-hosting-model), open the `Program.cs` file. To set the serialization options of the application, use any of the approaches demonstrated below. * Use the default serialization that is delivered with ASP.NET Core **(recommended approach)**. ```C# Program.cs var builder = WebApplication.CreateBuilder(args); // Add services to the container. builder.Services.AddControllersWithViews() // Maintain property names during serialization. See: // https://github.com/aspnet/Announcements/issues/194 .AddJsonOptions(options => options.JsonSerializerOptions.PropertyNamingPolicy = null); // Add Kendo UI services to the services container builder.Services.AddKendo(); ``` * Use the [`Newtonsoft`](https://www.newtonsoft.com/json) library. ```C# Program.cs var builder = WebApplication.CreateBuilder(args); // Add services to the container. builder.Services.AddControllersWithViews() // Maintain property names during serialization. See: // https://github.com/aspnet/Announcements/issues/194 .AddNewtonsoftJson(options => options.SerializerSettings.ContractResolver = new Newtonsoft.Json.Serialization.DefaultContractResolver()); // Add Kendo UI services to the services container builder.Services.AddKendo(); ``` ## Configure JSON Serialization in ASP.NET Core 3 through ASP.NET Core 5 To configure the JSON serialization in ASP.NET Core 3 to 5, use any of the following approaches: * Use the default serialization that is delivered with ASP.NET Core. Locate the `ConfigureServices` method and update it by adding the code below **(recommended approach)**. ```C# public void ConfigureServices(IServiceCollection services) { ... services .AddControllersWithViews() .AddJsonOptions(options => options.JsonSerializerOptions.PropertyNamingPolicy = null); // Add the Kendo UI services to the services container. services.AddKendo(); } ``` * Maintain the property names casing globally. Locate the `ConfigureServices` method and update it by adding the `using Newtonsoft.Json.Serialization;` line at the top. ```C# using Newtonsoft.Json.Serialization; ... public void ConfigureServices(IServiceCollection services) { ... services.AddMvc() .AddNewtonsoftJson(options => options.SerializerSettings.ContractResolver = new DefaultContractResolver()); // Add the Kendo UI services to the services container. services.AddKendo(); } ``` * Use the default JSON serialization throughout the application and include the built-in `System.Text.Json.JsonSerializerOptions` in the Controller Action method response. ```C# using System.Text.Json; public ActionResult Orders_Read([DataSourceRequest]DataSourceRequest request) { DataSourceResult result = orders.ToDataSourceResult(request); return Json(result, new JsonSerializerOptions() { PropertyNameCaseInsensitive = false }); } ``` ## Configure JSON Serialization in ASP.NET Core 2 To maintain the property names casing, locate the `ConfigureServices` method and update it by adding the `using Newtonsoft.Json.Serialization;` line at the top. ```C# using Newtonsoft.Json.Serialization; ... public void ConfigureServices(IServiceCollection services) { ... // Maintain the property names during serialization. // For more information, refer to https://github.com/aspnet/Announcements/issues/194. services .AddMvc().SetCompatibilityVersion(CompatibilityVersion.Version_2_1) .AddJsonOptions(options => options.SerializerSettings.ContractResolver = new DefaultContractResolver()); // Add the Kendo UI services to the services container. services.AddKendo(); } ``` ## Serialization Indentation Options For applications using .NET 9, [`System.Text.Json`](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/api/system.text.json?view=net-9.0) provides indentation properties that allow you to specify an [indentation character](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/api/system.text.json.jsonserializeroptions.indentcharacter?view=net-9.0) and [indentation size](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/api/system.text.json.jsonserializeroptions.indentsize?view=net-9.0) of the JSON string. The following example shows how to set the indentation options for the JSON result in the Grid's read request response. ```C# HomeController.cs public IActionResult ReadGridData([DataSourceRequest] DataSourceRequest request) { var gridData = new List() { new OrderViewModel { ID = 1, OrderName = "Name 1" }, new OrderViewModel { ID = 2, OrderName = "Name 2" } }; DataSourceResult result = gridData.ToDataSourceResult(request); return Json(result, new JsonSerializerOptions() { WriteIndented = true, IndentCharacter = '\t', IndentSize = 1, }); } ``` ```Razor HtmlHelper @(Html.Kendo().Grid() .Name("grid") ... .DataSource(dataSource => dataSource .Ajax() .Read(read => read.Action("ReadGridData", "Home")) ... ) ) ``` ```Razor TagHelper @addTagHelper *, Kendo.Mvc ``` The next example shows how to set the indentation options for the default JSON serialization of the application. ```C# Program.cs var builder = WebApplication.CreateBuilder(args); // Add services to the container. builder.Services.AddControllersWithViews() .AddJsonOptions(options => { options.JsonSerializerOptions.PropertyNamingPolicy = null; options.JsonSerializerOptions.WriteIndented = true; options.JsonSerializerOptions.IndentCharacter = '\t'; options.JsonSerializerOptions.IndentSize = 1; }); // Add Kendo UI services to the services container. builder.Services.AddKendo(); ``` ## See Also * [PDF and Excel Export Support by Telerik UI for ASP.NET Core](https://www.telerik.com/aspnet-core-ui/documentation/installation/system-requirements/export-support) * [Operation System Support by Telerik UI for ASP.NET Core](https://www.telerik.com/aspnet-core-ui/documentation/installation/system-requirements/os-support) * [Earlier Versions Support Policy by Telerik UI for ASP.NET Core](https://www.telerik.com/aspnet-core-ui/documentation/installation/upgrading/old-versions-support-policy) * [Data Binding of the Telerik UI for ASP.NET Core Grid](https://www.telerik.com/aspnet-core-ui/documentation/html-helpers/data-management/grid/binding/overview)