Structured Output & JSON Mode

# Structured Output & JSON Mode

Sometimes you don't want a paragraph of text — you want data you can use. A JSON object you can parse. A CSV you can import. A table you can paste into a spreadsheet. Structured output is the bridge between AI and the rest of your tools.

Why Structured Output Matters

Unstructured AI output is for humans to read. Structured output is for systems to process:

• Feed AI-extracted data into a CRM
• Populate a spreadsheet automatically
• Chain AI outputs through automation workflows
• Build applications that use AI as a processing layer

Method 1: Few-Shot Examples (Works Everywhere)

The most reliable way to get structured output is to show examples:

Extract contact information from this email and return as JSON.

Example input: "Hey, I'm Sarah Chen from TechCorp. You can reach me
at sarah@techcorp.com or 555-0123."