C# JSON Serialization of Dictionary into {key:value, ...} instead of {key:key, value:value, ...}

Json.NET does this...

Dictionary<string, string> values = new Dictionary<string, string>();
values.Add("key1", "value1");
values.Add("key2", "value2");

string json = JsonConvert.SerializeObject(values);
// {
//   "key1": "value1",
//   "key2": "value2"
// }

More examples: Serializing Collections with Json.NET

use property UseSimpleDictionaryFormat on DataContractJsonSerializer and set it to true.

Does the job :)

I'm using out of the box MVC4 with this code (note the two parameters inside ToDictionary)

 var result = new JsonResult()
 {
     Data = new
     {
         partials = GetPartials(data.Partials).ToDictionary(x => x.Key, y=> y.Value)
     }
 };

I get what's expected:

{"partials":{"cartSummary":"\u003cb\u003eCART SUMMARY\u003c/b\u003e"}}

Important: WebAPI in MVC4 uses JSON.NET serialization out of the box, but the standard web JsonResult action result doesn't. Therefore I recommend using a custom ActionResult to force JSON.NET serialization. You can also get nice formatting

Here's a simple actionresult JsonNetResult

http://james.newtonking.com/archive/2008/10/16/asp-net-mvc-and-json-net.aspx

You'll see the difference (and can make sure you're using the right one) when serializing a date:

Microsoft way:

 {"wireTime":"\/Date(1355627201572)\/"}

JSON.NET way:

 {"wireTime":"2012-12-15T19:07:03.5247384-08:00"}

In .NET 5 and later, you can simply write:

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
                    
public class Program
{
    public static void Main()
    {
        Dictionary<string, string> values = new();
        values.Add("key1", "value1");
        values.Add("key2", "value2");

        string json = System.Text.Json.JsonSerializer.Serialize(values);
        Console.WriteLine(json);
    }
}

to get {"key1":"value1","key2":"value2"}.

No external dependency is needed.

Unfortunately, this is not currently possible in the latest version of DataContractJsonSerializer. See: http://connect.microsoft.com/VisualStudio/feedback/details/558686/datacontractjsonserializer-should-serialize-dictionary-k-v-as-a-json-associative-array

The current suggested workaround is to use the JavaScriptSerializer as Mark suggested above.

Good luck!