---
title: Extract Structured Data
subtitle: Get consistent, typed output from your tasks
slug: running-automations/extract-structured-data
---

export const FIELD_TYPES = [
  { value: "string", label: "String" },
  { value: "number", label: "Number" },
  { value: "integer", label: "Integer" },
  { value: "boolean", label: "Boolean" },
]

export const SchemaBuilder = () => {
  const [schemaType, setSchemaType] = useState("single")
  const [arrayName, setArrayName] = useState("items")
  const [fields, setFields] = useState([
    { id: "1", name: "title", type: "string", description: "The title" },
  ])
  const [outputFormat, setOutputFormat] = useState("python")
  const [copied, setCopied] = useState(false)

  const addField = () => {
    setFields([...fields, { id: String(Date.now()), name: "", type: "string", description: "" }])
  }

  const removeField = (id) => {
    if (fields.length > 1) setFields(fields.filter((f) => f.id !== id))
  }

  const updateField = (id, key, value) => {
    setFields(fields.map((f) => (f.id === id ? { ...f, [key]: value } : f)))
  }

  const duplicateNames = useMemo(() => {
    const names = fields.map((f) => f.name).filter((n) => n.trim() !== "")
    const counts = {}
    for (const n of names) {
      counts[n] = (counts[n] || 0) + 1
    }
    return new Set(Object.keys(counts).filter((n) => counts[n] > 1))
  }, [fields])

  const schema = useMemo(() => {
    const properties = {}
    fields.forEach((field) => {
      if (field.name) {
        properties[field.name] = {
          type: field.type,
          description: field.description || `The ${field.name}`,
        }
      }
    })
    if (schemaType === "array") {
      return {
        type: "object",
        properties: {
          [arrayName]: {
            type: "array",
            description: "List of extracted items",
            items: { type: "object", properties },
          },
        },
      }
    }
    return { type: "object", properties }
  }, [fields, schemaType, arrayName])

  const formattedOutput = useMemo(() => {
    const jsonStr = JSON.stringify(schema, null, 2)
    if (outputFormat === "python") {
      return `data_extraction_schema=${jsonStr.replace(/: null/g, ": None").replace(/: true/g, ": True").replace(/: false/g, ": False")}`
    }
    if (outputFormat === "typescript") {
      return `data_extraction_schema: ${jsonStr}`
    }
    return `"data_extraction_schema": ${jsonStr}`
  }, [schema, outputFormat])

  const copyToClipboard = async () => {
    await navigator.clipboard.writeText(formattedOutput)
    setCopied(true)
    setTimeout(() => setCopied(false), 2000)
  }

  return (
    <div className="p-5 border rounded-lg mt-4 mb-4 not-prose" style={{ backgroundColor: "#f8fafc" }}>
      <div className="mb-5">
        <label className="block font-semibold mb-2 text-sm">What are you extracting?</label>
        <div className="flex gap-3">
          {[
            { value: "single", label: "Single object", desc: "Extract one item with multiple fields" },
            { value: "array", label: "List of items", desc: "Extract multiple items with the same structure" },
          ].map((type) => (
            <button
              key={type.value}
              onClick={() => setSchemaType(type.value)}
              className={`flex-1 p-3 rounded-md text-left border-2 ${schemaType === type.value ? "border-indigo-500 bg-indigo-50" : "border-gray-200 bg-white"}`}
            >
              <div className="font-medium text-sm">{type.label}</div>
              <div className="text-xs text-gray-500 mt-1">{type.desc}</div>
            </button>
          ))}
        </div>
      </div>

      {schemaType === "array" && (
        <div className="mb-5">
          <label className="block text-xs font-medium mb-1 text-gray-700">Array field name</label>
          <input
            type="text"
            value={arrayName}
            onChange={(e) => setArrayName(e.target.value)}
            className="w-full p-2 border rounded-md text-sm"
            placeholder="items"
          />
        </div>
      )}

      <div className="mb-4">
        <label className="block font-semibold mb-2 text-sm">Fields to extract</label>
        <div className="flex flex-col gap-2">
          {fields.map((field) => (
            <div key={field.id} className="flex gap-2 items-center p-3 bg-white rounded-md border">
              <input
                type="text"
                value={field.name}
                onChange={(e) => updateField(field.id, "name", e.target.value)}
                placeholder="Field name"
                className={`w-32 p-2 border rounded-md text-sm ${duplicateNames.has(field.name) ? "border-red-500 bg-red-50" : ""}`}
                title={duplicateNames.has(field.name) ? "Duplicate field name - will be overwritten in schema" : ""}
              />
              <select
                value={field.type}
                onChange={(e) => updateField(field.id, "type", e.target.value)}
                className="w-24 p-2 border rounded-md text-sm bg-white"
              >
                {FIELD_TYPES.map((t) => (
                  <option key={t.value} value={t.value}>{t.label}</option>
                ))}
              </select>
              <input
                type="text"
                value={field.description}
                onChange={(e) => updateField(field.id, "description", e.target.value)}
                placeholder="Description (helps AI understand what to extract)"
                className="flex-1 p-2 border rounded-md text-sm"
              />
              <button
                onClick={() => removeField(field.id)}
                disabled={fields.length === 1}
                className={`px-2 py-1 rounded text-lg ${fields.length === 1 ? "text-gray-300 cursor-not-allowed" : "text-red-500 hover:bg-red-50"}`}
              >
                ×
              </button>
            </div>
          ))}
        </div>
        <button onClick={addField} className="w-full mt-2 p-2 border border-dashed rounded-md text-gray-500 text-sm hover:bg-gray-50">
          + Add field
        </button>
        {duplicateNames.size > 0 && (
          <div className="mt-2 p-2 bg-red-50 border border-red-200 rounded-md text-red-700 text-xs">
            Duplicate field names detected. Only the last field with each name will appear in the schema.
          </div>
        )}
      </div>

      <div>
        <div className="flex justify-between items-center mb-2">
          <label className="font-semibold text-sm">Generated schema</label>
          <div className="flex gap-1">
            {["python", "typescript", "curl"].map((format) => (
              <button
                key={format}
                onClick={() => setOutputFormat(format)}
                className={`px-3 py-1 rounded text-xs ${outputFormat === format ? "bg-indigo-100 border-indigo-500 border font-medium" : "bg-white border border-gray-200"}`}
              >
                {format === "curl" ? "cURL" : format.charAt(0).toUpperCase() + format.slice(1)}
              </button>
            ))}
          </div>
        </div>
        <div className="relative">
          <pre className="bg-slate-800 text-slate-200 p-4 rounded-md overflow-auto text-xs leading-relaxed">
            <code>{formattedOutput}</code>
          </pre>
          <button
            onClick={copyToClipboard}
            className={`absolute top-2 right-2 px-3 py-1 rounded text-xs text-white ${copied ? "bg-green-500" : "bg-slate-600 hover:bg-slate-500"}`}
          >
            {copied ? "Copied!" : "Copy"}
          </button>
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
  )
}

By default, Skyvern returns extracted data in whatever format makes sense for the task. 
Pass a `data_extraction_schema` to enforce a specific structure using [JSON Schema.](https://json-schema.org/)

---

## Define a schema

Add `data_extraction_schema` parameter to your task with a JSON Schema object:

<CodeGroup>
```python Python
result = await client.run_task(
    prompt="Get the title of the top post",
    url="https://news.ycombinator.com",
    data_extraction_schema={
        "type": "object",
        "properties": {
            "title": {
                "type": "string",
                "description": "The title of the top post"
            }
        }
    }
)
```

```typescript TypeScript
const result = await client.runTask({
  body: {
    prompt: "Get the title of the top post",
    url: "https://news.ycombinator.com",
    data_extraction_schema: {
      type: "object",
      properties: {
        title: {
          type: "string",
          description: "The title of the top post",
        },
      },
    },
  },
});
```

```bash cURL
curl -X POST "https://api.skyvern.com/v1/run/tasks" \
  -H "x-api-key: $SKYVERN_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "prompt": "Get the title of the top post",
    "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com",
    "data_extraction_schema": {
      "type": "object",
      "properties": {
        "title": {
          "type": "string",
          "description": "The title of the top post"
        }
      }
    }
  }'
```
</CodeGroup>

The `description` field in each property helps Skyvern understand what data to extract. Be specific.

<Warning>
`description` fields drive extraction quality. Vague descriptions like "the data" produce vague results. Be specific: "The product price in USD, without currency symbol."
</Warning>

---

## Schema format

Skyvern uses standard JSON Schema. Common types:

| Type | JSON Schema | Example value |
|------|-------------|---------------|
| String | `{"type": "string"}` | `"Hello world"` |
| Number | `{"type": "number"}` | `19.99` |
| Integer | `{"type": "integer"}` | `42` |
| Boolean | `{"type": "boolean"}` | `true` |
| Array | `{"type": "array", "items": {...}}` | `[1, 2, 3]` |
| Object | `{"type": "object", "properties": {...}}` | `{"key": "value"}` |

<Note>
A schema doesn't guarantee all fields are populated. If the data isn't on the page, fields return `null`. Design your code to handle missing values.
</Note>

---

## Build your schema

Use the interactive builder to generate a schema, then copy it into your code.

<SchemaBuilder />

---

## Examples

### Single value

Extract one piece of information, such as the current price of Bitcoin:

<CodeGroup>
```python Python
result = await client.run_task(
    prompt="Get the current Bitcoin price in USD",
    url="https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/bitcoin/",
    data_extraction_schema={
        "type": "object",
        "properties": {
            "price": {
                "type": "number",
                "description": "Current Bitcoin price in USD"
            }
        }
    }
)
```

```typescript TypeScript
const result = await client.runTask({
  body: {
    prompt: "Get the current Bitcoin price in USD",
    url: "https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/bitcoin/",
    data_extraction_schema: {
      type: "object",
      properties: {
        price: {
          type: "number",
          description: "Current Bitcoin price in USD",
        },
      },
    },
  },
});
```

```bash cURL
curl -X POST "https://api.skyvern.com/v1/run/tasks" \
  -H "x-api-key: $SKYVERN_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "prompt": "Get the current Bitcoin price in USD",
    "url": "https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/bitcoin/",
    "data_extraction_schema": {
      "type": "object",
      "properties": {
        "price": {
          "type": "number",
          "description": "Current Bitcoin price in USD"
        }
      }
    }
  }'
```
</CodeGroup>

**Output (when completed):**

```json
{
  "price": 104521.37
}
```

---

### List of items

Extract multiple items with the same structure, such as the top posts from a news site:

<CodeGroup>
```python Python
result = await client.run_task(
    prompt="Get the top 5 posts",
    url="https://news.ycombinator.com",
    data_extraction_schema={
        "type": "object",
        "properties": {
            "posts": {
                "type": "array",
                "description": "Top 5 posts from the front page",
                "items": {
                    "type": "object",
                    "properties": {
                        "title": {
                            "type": "string",
                            "description": "Post title"
                        },
                        "points": {
                            "type": "integer",
                            "description": "Number of points"
                        },
                        "url": {
                            "type": "string",
                            "description": "Link to the post"
                        }
                    }
                }
            }
        }
    }
)
```

```typescript TypeScript
const result = await client.runTask({
  body: {
    prompt: "Get the top 5 posts",
    url: "https://news.ycombinator.com",
    data_extraction_schema: {
      type: "object",
      properties: {
        posts: {
          type: "array",
          description: "Top 5 posts from the front page",
          items: {
            type: "object",
            properties: {
              title: {
                type: "string",
                description: "Post title",
              },
              points: {
                type: "integer",
                description: "Number of points",
              },
              url: {
                type: "string",
                description: "Link to the post",
              },
            },
          },
        },
      },
    },
  },
});
```

```bash cURL
curl -X POST "https://api.skyvern.com/v1/run/tasks" \
  -H "x-api-key: $SKYVERN_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "prompt": "Get the top 5 posts",
    "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com",
    "data_extraction_schema": {
      "type": "object",
      "properties": {
        "posts": {
          "type": "array",
          "description": "Top 5 posts from the front page",
          "items": {
            "type": "object",
            "properties": {
              "title": {
                "type": "string",
                "description": "Post title"
              },
              "points": {
                "type": "integer",
                "description": "Number of points"
              },
              "url": {
                "type": "string",
                "description": "Link to the post"
              }
            }
          }
        }
      }
    }
  }'
```
</CodeGroup>

**Output (when completed):**

```json
{
  "posts": [
    {
      "title": "Running Claude Code dangerously (safely)",
      "points": 342,
      "url": "https://blog.emilburzo.com/2026/01/running-claude-code-dangerously-safely/"
    },
    {
      "title": "Linux kernel framework for PCIe device emulation",
      "points": 287,
      "url": "https://github.com/cakehonolulu/pciem"
    },
    {
      "title": "I'm addicted to being useful",
      "points": 256,
      "url": "https://www.seangoedecke.com/addicted-to-being-useful/"
    },
    {
      "title": "Level S4 solar radiation event",
      "points": 198,
      "url": "https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/news/g4-severe-geomagnetic-storm"
    },
    {
      "title": "WebAssembly Text Format parser performance",
      "points": 176,
      "url": "https://blog.gplane.win/posts/improve-wat-parser-perf.html"
    }
  ]
}
```

<Tip>
Arrays without limits extract everything visible on the page. Specify limits in your prompt (e.g., "top 5 posts") or the array description to control output size.
</Tip>

---

### Nested objects

Extract hierarchical data, such as a product with its pricing and availability:

<CodeGroup>
```python Python
result = await client.run_task(
    prompt="Get product details including pricing and availability",
    url="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0EXAMPLE",
    data_extraction_schema={
        "type": "object",
        "properties": {
            "product": {
                "type": "object",
                "description": "Product information",
                "properties": {
                    "name": {
                        "type": "string",
                        "description": "Product name"
                    },
                    "pricing": {
                        "type": "object",
                        "description": "Pricing details",
                        "properties": {
                            "current_price": {
                                "type": "number",
                                "description": "Current price in USD"
                            },
                            "original_price": {
                                "type": "number",
                                "description": "Original price before discount"
                            },
                            "discount_percent": {
                                "type": "integer",
                                "description": "Discount percentage"
                            }
                        }
                    },
                    "availability": {
                        "type": "object",
                        "description": "Stock information",
                        "properties": {
                            "in_stock": {
                                "type": "boolean",
                                "description": "Whether the item is in stock"
                            },
                            "delivery_estimate": {
                                "type": "string",
                                "description": "Estimated delivery date"
                            }
                        }
                    }
                }
            }
        }
    }
)
```

```typescript TypeScript
const result = await client.runTask({
  body: {
    prompt: "Get product details including pricing and availability",
    url: "https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0EXAMPLE",
    data_extraction_schema: {
      type: "object",
      properties: {
        product: {
          type: "object",
          description: "Product information",
          properties: {
            name: {
              type: "string",
              description: "Product name",
            },
            pricing: {
              type: "object",
              description: "Pricing details",
              properties: {
                current_price: {
                  type: "number",
                  description: "Current price in USD",
                },
                original_price: {
                  type: "number",
                  description: "Original price before discount",
                },
                discount_percent: {
                  type: "integer",
                  description: "Discount percentage",
                },
              },
            },
            availability: {
              type: "object",
              description: "Stock information",
              properties: {
                in_stock: {
                  type: "boolean",
                  description: "Whether the item is in stock",
                },
                delivery_estimate: {
                  type: "string",
                  description: "Estimated delivery date",
                },
              },
            },
          },
        },
      },
    },
  },
});
```

```bash cURL
curl -X POST "https://api.skyvern.com/v1/run/tasks" \
  -H "x-api-key: $SKYVERN_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "prompt": "Get product details including pricing and availability",
    "url": "https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0EXAMPLE",
    "data_extraction_schema": {
      "type": "object",
      "properties": {
        "product": {
          "type": "object",
          "description": "Product information",
          "properties": {
            "name": {
              "type": "string",
              "description": "Product name"
            },
            "pricing": {
              "type": "object",
              "description": "Pricing details",
              "properties": {
                "current_price": {
                  "type": "number",
                  "description": "Current price in USD"
                },
                "original_price": {
                  "type": "number",
                  "description": "Original price before discount"
                },
                "discount_percent": {
                  "type": "integer",
                  "description": "Discount percentage"
                }
              }
            },
            "availability": {
              "type": "object",
              "description": "Stock information",
              "properties": {
                "in_stock": {
                  "type": "boolean",
                  "description": "Whether the item is in stock"
                },
                "delivery_estimate": {
                  "type": "string",
                  "description": "Estimated delivery date"
                }
              }
            }
          }
        }
      }
    }
  }'
```
</CodeGroup>

**Output (when completed):**

```json
{
  "product": {
    "name": "Wireless Bluetooth Headphones",
    "pricing": {
      "current_price": 79.99,
      "original_price": 129.99,
      "discount_percent": 38
    },
    "availability": {
      "in_stock": true,
      "delivery_estimate": "Tomorrow, Jan 21"
    }
  }
}
```

---

## Accessing extracted data

The extracted data appears in the `output` field of the completed run. Poll until the task reaches a terminal state, then access the output.

<CodeGroup>
```python Python
result = await client.run_task(
    prompt="Get the top post",
    url="https://news.ycombinator.com",
    data_extraction_schema={
        "type": "object",
        "properties": {
            "title": {"type": "string", "description": "Post title"},
            "points": {"type": "integer", "description": "Points"}
        }
    }
)

run_id = result.run_id

while True:
    run = await client.get_run(run_id)

    if run.status in ["completed", "failed", "terminated", "timed_out", "canceled"]:
        break

    await asyncio.sleep(5)

# Access the extracted data
print(f"Output: {run.output}")
```

```typescript TypeScript
const result = await client.runTask({
  body: {
    prompt: "Get the top post",
    url: "https://news.ycombinator.com",
    data_extraction_schema: {
      type: "object",
      properties: {
        title: { type: "string", description: "Post title" },
        points: { type: "integer", description: "Points" },
      },
    },
  },
});

const runId = result.run_id;

while (true) {
  const run = await client.getRun(runId);

  if (["completed", "failed", "terminated", "timed_out", "canceled"].includes(run.status)) {
    console.log(`Output: ${JSON.stringify(run.output)}`);
    break;
  }

  await new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, 5000));
}
```

```bash cURL
RUN_ID="your_run_id_here"

while true; do
  RESPONSE=$(curl -s -X GET "https://api.skyvern.com/v1/runs/$RUN_ID" \
    -H "x-api-key: $SKYVERN_API_KEY")

  STATUS=$(echo "$RESPONSE" | jq -r '.status')

  if [[ "$STATUS" == "completed" || "$STATUS" == "failed" || "$STATUS" == "terminated" || "$STATUS" == "timed_out" || "$STATUS" == "canceled" ]]; then
    echo "$RESPONSE" | jq '.output'
    break
  fi

  sleep 5
done
```
</CodeGroup>

If using webhooks, the same `output` field appears in the webhook payload.

---

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card
    title="Task Parameters"
    icon="sliders"
    href="/running-automations/task-parameters"
  >
    All available parameters for run_task
  </Card>
  <Card
    title="Run a Task"
    icon="play"
    href="/running-automations/run-a-task"
  >
    Execute tasks and retrieve results
  </Card>
</CardGroup>