How to Fix the JSON Parse Error in Microsoft Graph API for SharePoint Site Usage File Counts

Learn how to resolve the `JSON parse error` you encounter in Microsoft Graph API when trying to get SharePoint Site Usage File Counts. Follow our step-by-step guide for a reliable workaround!
---

Visit these links for original content and any more details, such as alternate solutions, latest updates/developments on topic, comments, revision history etc. For example, the original title of the Question was: Microsoft Graph API - thinking its JSON parse error within the Graph API

If anything seems off to you, please feel free to write me at vlogize [AT] gmail [DOT] com.
---
How to Fix the JSON Parse Error in Microsoft Graph API for SharePoint Site Usage File Counts

If you're working with the Microsoft Graph API and trying to retrieve SharePoint Site Usage File Counts, you might have come across a frustrating error. Specifically, you may see a JSON parse error that states: "'R' is an invalid start of a value." This common issue can occur due to various reasons but fear not! In this post, we'll walk you through an effective solution to resolve this error and successfully get your SharePoint usage data.

Understanding the Problem

When making API requests, proper data format and handling are crucial. The error arises during JSON parsing, which means that the API response might not have been in the correct JSON format that the System.Text.Json serializer expects. This can happen for a number of reasons including:

Inconsistent data returned by the API.

Network issues leading to corrupted data.

Wrongly formatted request leading to unexpected responses.

To diagnose the issue, let's first look at the code that triggered this error:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

When you run this code, it throws the mentioned JSON exception.

The Workaround Solution

Fortunately, there is a straightforward workaround to bypass this issue. Instead of using the direct asynchronous call that leads to the parsing problem, you can send an HTTP request manually and handle the response directly. Here’s how you can do it:

Step-by-step Code Implementation

Create the HTTP request message:
You can still utilize the Graph client to create the request message.

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Send the request:
Use the HttpProvider to send the request and await the response.

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Consume the response:
Finally, read the response content as a string. This is where you can handle the data as you see fit, without relying on the automatic JSON parsing that caused the original error.

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Full Example

Here's how the complete workaround looks in context:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

With these steps, you now have a reliable method to retrieve SharePoint Site Usage File Counts without encountering the JSON parsing error.

Conclusion

JSON parse errors can be quite frustrating, especially when working with APIs. By understanding the issue and using the workaround provided, you can effectively sidestep this problem and continue working with your SharePoint data. Always ensure to check the API response to avoid further issues and streamline your API calls. Happy coding!