Forum Discussion

Copper Contributor

Oct 15, 2026

Solved

SSMS 22 JSON viewer

In SSMS we’ve had an XML viewer since a very early version. With version 21 or 22, I noticed a JSON viewer as well. i.e. if your column contains a JSON string, it hyperlinks and if clicked, it opens ...

MW_DEV
Oct 16, 2026
Hi,
This is a known issue with JSON detection in SSMS. Microsoft previously addressed a similar bug where JSON values stored in nvarchar columns weren't recognized as clickable links For example here: https://developercommunity.microsoft.com/t/ver-223-:-Unable-to-recognize-JSON-format/11042059
However - starting with SSMS 22.4.1, there's a setting under Tools → Options → Query Results → Results to Grid that controls how JSON is displayed in text columns.
I couldn't find confirmation of a new regression specifically in 22.11.0, so if the setting is correct, it may be worth reporting it again.

MW_DEV

Brass Contributor

Oct 16, 2026

Hi,
This is a known issue with JSON detection in SSMS. Microsoft previously addressed a similar bug where JSON values stored in nvarchar columns weren't recognized as clickable links For example here: https://developercommunity.microsoft.com/t/ver-223-:-Unable-to-recognize-JSON-format/11042059

However - starting with SSMS 22.4.1, there's a setting under Tools → Options → Query Results → Results to Grid that controls how JSON is displayed in text columns.

I couldn't find confirmation of a new regression specifically in 22.11.0, so if the setting is correct, it may be worth reporting it again.