How to Create JSON Text for APKG Converter in Question and Answer Format for Anki Flashcards

How to Create JSON Text for APKG Converter in Question and Answer Format for Anki Flashcards

Anki is one of the most powerful tools for spaced repetition and memory retention. If you're a student, language learner, or UPSC aspirant, you likely use Anki to remember key facts. But creating cards manually can be time-consuming. That’s where a JSON to .apkg converter comes in — you write your flashcards in structured JSON, and the tool generates an Anki deck (.apkg file) in seconds.

This guide will walk you through the process of creating proper JSON text for Q&A-based Anki flashcards. We’ll cover structure, syntax, examples, and best practices so you can generate high-quality Anki decks quickly and easily.


🔧 What is a JSON to APKG Converter?

It’s a web app or script that converts .json files into .apkg decks compatible with Anki. The converter takes structured data — like a list of questions and answers — and builds an Anki package that you can import directly into the app.

The JSON format typically follows this pattern:

{
  "questions": [
    {
      "question": "What is the capital of France?",
      "answer": "Paris"
    },
    {
      "question": "Who wrote the play Hamlet?",
      "answer": "William Shakespeare"
    }
  ]
}

This simple structure allows you to create dozens or even thousands of flashcards for bulk import.


📄 Basic Structure of JSON for APKG Flashcards

The minimal structure should include a questions key, which holds a list of cards. Each card is a dictionary (object) with at least:

  • question: The front of the flashcard.
  • answer: The back of the flashcard.
  • (optional) tags: For categorizing cards (e.g., “Geography”, “History”).

✅ Example with Tags:

{
  "questions": [
    {
      "question": "What is the boiling point of water?",
      "answer": "100°C at sea level",
      "tags": ["science", "physics"]
    },
    {
      "question": "When did World War II end?",
      "answer": "1945",
      "tags": ["history"]
    }
  ]
}

Tags help organize your decks and enable filtered reviews inside Anki.


🧠 Best Practices for Writing Q&A Pairs

  • Keep questions focused: One concept per card is best.
  • Use cloze-style phrasing: e.g., “The capital of Germany is ___.”
  • Support HTML: You can use <b>, <i>, or even <img> tags inside question or answer strings.

Example with Formatting:

{
  "questions": [
    {
      "question": "Define <b>Photosynthesis</b>.",
      "answer": "The process by which green plants convert sunlight into energy."
    }
  ]
}

📂 Where to Create and Save JSON?

You can create your JSON file in any text editor like:

Just be sure to save your file with a .json extension and validate it using a linter (like JSONLint) before uploading to the converter.


💡 Tips for Flashcard Design

  • Use consistent language: Stick to terms you’ve used in your notes.
  • Add examples: “What is a metamorphic rock? Give an example.”
  • Don’t overload answers: Break up large answers into multiple cards.
  • Use tags strategically: e.g., "tags": ["polity", "upsc"]

🛠️ Using the APKG Converter

Once your JSON is ready:

  1. Open the JSON to APKG converter web app (e.g., your embedded app on “APKG MAKER” page).
  2. Paste or upload your JSON.
  3. Click “Generate Deck” to get your .apkg file.
  4. Import the file into Anki using the desktop app (File → Import).

All your flashcards will appear, categorized and ready to review.


🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Unescaped special characters like quotes (") inside strings
  • Forgetting commas between JSON objects
  • Invalid or missing top-level "questions" key
  • Using incorrect tag formats (should be a list, not a string)

❌ Wrong:

{
  "questions": {
    "question": "Bad format",
    "answer": "This should be inside a list"
  }
}

✅ Correct:

{
  "questions": [
    {
      "question": "Fixed format",
      "answer": "This is now inside an array"
    }
  ]
}

📘 Final Thoughts

By using a JSON-to-APKG converter, you can rapidly create powerful flashcard decks for Anki. Whether you’re preparing for UPSC, GRE, NEET, or language learning, this method saves time and enhances retention.

All you need is:

  • A well-structured JSON file
  • A converter tool (like the one on your blog)
  • Anki Desktop App
Ready to try it?
Head over to our APKG MAKER page and turn your JSON into smart revision decks instantly.

Happy learning and card making!

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