Convert List Of Dictionary into Python String

Working with data structures like lists of dictionaries is a common task in Python programming. Sometimes, you may need to convert a list of dictionaries into a string for various reasons, such as storing it in a file, sending it over the network, or displaying it in a specific format. In this article, we will explore three simple and commonly used methods for converting a list of dictionaries into a string in Python.

How To Convert List Of Dictionary Into String?

Below, are the methods for How To Convert List Of Dictionary Into String in Python.

• Using str() Function
• Using a For Loop
• Using List Comprehension
• Using json.dumps Method

Convert List Of Dictionary Into String Using str() Function

In the code, a sample list of dictionaries, `list_of_dicts`, is created with information about individuals. The variable `result_string` is assigned the string representation of `list_of_dicts` using `str()`, and its type is printed along with the original list’s type.

Python3

# Sample list of dictionaries
list_of_dicts = [{'name': 'John', 'age': 25}, {'name': 'Alice', 'age': 30}]

result_string = str(list_of_dicts)

# Print the result
print(type(list_of_dicts))
print(result_string)
print(type(result_string))

Output

<class 'list'>
[{'name': 'John', 'age': 25}, {'name': 'Alice', 'age': 30}]
<class 'str'>

Convert List Of Dictionary Into String Using For Loop

In the example, below code, a sample list of dictionaries, list_of_dicts, is given. Method 1 uses a loop to concatenate key-value pairs from each dictionary into a string, removing the trailing comma. The resulting string is printed along with the types of the original list and the final string.

Python3

# Sample list of dictionaries
list_of_dicts = [{'name': 'John', 'age': 25}, {'name': 'Alice', 'age': 30}]

# Method 1: Using a Loop
result_string = ''
for dictionary in list_of_dicts:
    for key, value in dictionary.items():
        result_string += f"{key}: {value}, "
result_string = result_string.rstrip(', ')

# Print the result
print(type(list_of_dicts))
print(result_string)
print(type(result_string))

Output

<class 'list'>
name: John, age: 25, name: Alice, age: 30
<class 'str'>

Convert List Of Dictionary Into String Using List Comprehension

In this example code, a sample list of dictionaries, list_of_dicts, is provided. Method 2 utilizes list comprehension to format key-value pairs from each dictionary into a list of strings, which are then joined to create the final string.

Python3

# Sample list of dictionaries
list_of_dicts = [{'name': 'John', 'age': 25}, {'name': 'Alice', 'age': 30}]

result_list = [', '.join([f"{key}: {value}" for key, value in dictionary.items()]) for dictionary in list_of_dicts]
result_string = ', '.join(result_list)

# Print the result
print(type(list_of_dicts))
print(result_string)
print(type(result_string))

Output

<class 'list'>
name: John, age: 25, name: Alice, age: 30
<class 'str'>

Convert List Of Dictionary Into String Using json.dumps Method

In this example, below code, the json.dumps method is used to convert the list_of_dicts (a list of dictionaries) into a formatted JSON string with an indentation of 2 spaces. The resulting JSON string is printed along with the types of the original list and the final string.

Python3

import json

# Sample list of dictionaries
list_of_dicts = [{'name': 'John', 'age': 25}, {'name': 'Alice', 'age': 30}]
result_string = json.dumps(list_of_dicts, indent=2)

# Print the result
print(type(list_of_dicts))
print(result_string)
print(type(result_string))

Output

<class 'list'>
[
  {
    "name": "John",
    "age": 25
  },
  {
    "name": "Alice",
    "age": 30
  }
]
<class 'str'>