What is Structured Output?
TL;DR
A feature that forces LLM output into predetermined formats like JSON. Essential for application integration.
Structured Output: Definition & Explanation
Structured Output is a feature that forces LLM output to conform to predetermined data formats such as JSON, XML, or CSV. While LLMs normally produce free-form text, application integration requires parseable structured data. OpenAI GPT-4o's JSON mode, Anthropic Claude's tool use, and Google Gemini's JSON output feature all support this capability. By specifying a JSON schema, you can obtain output that meets required fields, types, and constraints with high reliability. It is an essential technology for integrating LLMs into business systems, including data extraction, automated form filling, API integration, and database storage.