CLI output formats (json, table, text) in AWS - Step-by-Step Execution

Process Flow - CLI output formats (json, table, text)

User runs AWS CLI command

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CLI processes request

↓

Output format option checked

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json format

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Print JSON

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Display output

The AWS CLI command runs, checks the chosen output format, then prints the output in JSON, table, or text format accordingly.

Execution Sample

AWS

aws ec2 describe-instances --output json
aws ec2 describe-instances --output table
aws ec2 describe-instances --output text

Shows how the same AWS CLI command outputs instance info in JSON, table, or text format.

Process Table

Step	Action	Output Format Option	Output Produced
1	Run command	json	JSON structured data with keys and values
2	Run command	table	Table with headers and rows showing instance info
3	Run command	text	Plain text with tab-separated values
4	End	any	Output displayed to user terminal

💡 Output format option determines how the CLI formats and displays the data

Status Tracker

Variable	Start	After json	After table	After text
output_format	none	json	table	text
output_data	none	{"Instances": [...]}	Table rows with headers	Plain text lines

Key Moments - 2 Insights

Why does the output look very different when I change the --output option?

The --output option tells the CLI how to format the data. JSON shows structured data, table shows a readable grid, and text shows simple lines. See execution_table rows 1-3.

Can I parse the output easily if I use table or text formats?

JSON is best for parsing because it is structured. Table and text are for human reading, not easy for scripts. See variable_tracker for output_data differences.

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution table, what output format produces a grid with headers and rows?

A json

B text

C table

D none

💡 Hint

Check execution_table row 2 under Output Produced

At which step does the CLI print plain text with space-separated values?

A Step 1

B Step 3

C Step 2

D Step 4

💡 Hint

See execution_table row 3 Output Produced column

If you want to automate processing the output, which format should you choose?

A json

B text

C table

D none

💡 Hint

Refer to key_moments about parsing output easily

Concept Snapshot

AWS CLI output formats:
--output json: structured data, easy for scripts
--output table: human-friendly grid with headers
--output text: simple plain text lines
Choose format based on use: json for automation, table/text for reading

Full Transcript

When you run an AWS CLI command, you can choose how the output looks using the --output option. The CLI checks this option and formats the data accordingly. JSON format shows detailed structured data good for scripts. Table format shows a neat grid with headers for easy reading. Text format shows simple lines of text. This choice affects how easy it is to read or parse the output. JSON is best for automation, while table and text are better for humans. The execution table shows the steps from running the command to displaying the output in the chosen format.