# Unpacking

Another system's output, hiding inside a field of yours.

## Across the two shapes

A verb is implemented once per shape, not once per format. That is why a CSV gets the same tools as a webhook payload: both collapse to one of two shapes before any verb runs.

How the shapes differ for unpack: nested strings, any depth.

- document · JSON, YAML, XML
- records · NDJSON, CSV, TSV, Markdown table, Log

## Which formats can hold packed data

The verb belongs to the shape; the question "is this value packed?" belongs to the adapter. An adapter that never sees packed values simply does not answer it.

- JSON · can open packed values
- YAML · can open packed values
- XML · can open packed values
- NDJSON · can open packed values
- CSV · can open packed values
- TSV · can open packed values
- Markdown table · can open packed values
- Log · can open packed values

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Canonical: https://unstringify.com/docs/unpack