Instant JSON import API

Import annotations, form fields, and form values into your PDF documents using our JSON import API, designed for speed, flexibility, and automation.

Fast, JSON-driven imports

Use a simple JSON structure to instantly add highlights, comments, form fields, and prefilled values to your PDFs. No complex tools or formats required.

Automate with Zapier

Automatically import JSON into new PDF files in Google Drive using our Zapier integration. Drop in a JSON file and a PDF file, and Nutrient will merge them on the fly.

Ideal for dynamic document workflows

Perfect for programmatically generating annotated PDFs, populating forms, or layering data onto documents in real time.

Used by Lufthansa, Disney, Autodesk, UBS, Dropbox, IBM
Lufthansa
Disney
Autodesk
UBS
Dropbox
IBM

Try it out

This example will import Instant JSON with annotations into your PDF.


Try it out in three steps

  1. Add document.pdf and annotations.json to your project folder.
  2. Run the code from the same folder.
  3. Open result.pdf to see the output.
curl -X POST https://api.nutrient.io/build \
-H "Authorization: Bearer your_api_key_here" \
-o result.pdf \
--fail \
-F document=@annotations.pdf \
-F annotations.json=@annotations.json \
-F instructions='{
"parts": [
{
"file": "document"
}
],
"actions": [
{
"type": "applyInstantJson",
"file": "annotations.json"
}
]
}'

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Instant JSON

We created Instant JSON to bring annotations, forms, and bookmarks into a modern format while keeping all important properties to make the Instant JSON specification work with PDF documents. The format is fully documented and can easily be converted to XFDF to make it interoperable.

Instant JSON annotation format


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Frequently asked questions

What is Instant JSON?

Instant JSON is Nutrient’s open format for representing annotations, form fields, and form field values separately from the source PDF. It keeps the original document untouched and layers changes on top, and it can be converted to XFDF for interoperability.

How do I import annotations into a PDF using the API?

Send your PDF and an Instant JSON payload to the import endpoint, and the API merges the annotations into the document and returns the result. See the getting started guide for API key setup, or pair it with the PDF annotations API for broader annotation workflows.

Can I import form fields and prefilled values too?

Yes. Instant JSON can carry form fields and their values, so you can populate forms programmatically in the same request. For dedicated form workflows, see the PDF form filling API.

How does Instant JSON differ from XFDF?

Both describe annotations and form data outside the PDF. Instant JSON is a modern, fully documented JSON format that preserves the properties needed to work with PDF documents, and it converts to XFDF when you need compatibility with XFDF-based tooling.

Is it free to try?

Yes. Create a free account to get an API key and start importing Instant JSON right away. Production usage is credit-based — see Processor API pricing for details.

Ready to try it?

Create an account to get your DWS Processor API key and start making API calls.