Library / AI & automation / Structured output
No. 071·noun·also called JSON output, JSON mode, schema output

Structured output

Asking an AI to answer in a fixed, machine-readable shape, like named fields, instead of free text.

SPECIMEN · DIAGRAM · FLOW
PersonReceipt photo
ServiceAI model
Data{ merchant, date, total }fixed fields
JSON
Definition

What it is

Structured output means the AI returns data in an exact format, usually JSON with named fields: { "category": "Billing", "urgency": "high" }. The app can then save it, sort by it, or show it in specific places.

Free text is fine for a human to read but fragile for software to use. If an AI feature feeds into the app (tagging, extracting, scoring), ask for structured output and list the fields and allowed values.

It also reduces rambling, because the model has a clear shape to fill.

Say it like a builder

How to ask for it

Vague

“Have AI read the receipt and get the info.”

Precise

“Use structured output to extract from each receipt: merchant (text), date (YYYY-MM-DD), total (number), currency (3-letter code), and category (one of Travel, Meals, Software, Other). Leave a field empty if it can't be read.”

Why it works

"Get the info" returns unpredictable text; structured output with named, typed fields can be saved directly.

In the wild

You've seen this in

  • RReceipt scanners pulling out merchant, date, and total
  • EEmail triage tools tagging category and priority
  • RResume parsers
Usage note

Often confused with

PromptThe prompt is the instructions; structured output is the required shape of the answer.SchemaA database schema describes stored data; a structured output schema describes an AI's answer.