# Hierarchical JSON Input

You can use the Hierarchical JSON input step to load JSON data into PDI from a file. You can use filters to load only the desired data. The data can be split on a hierarchical data path using wildcards. You can specify the input file directly in this step or use a list of files from an input field. See [Hierarchical data](/pdia-data-integration/10.2-data-integration/advanced-topics-pentaho-data-integration-overview/hierarchical-data.md) for an overview of hierarchical data in Pentaho.

You can use filters on the input even if you do not use the **Split rows across path** field, but the filters must be set to the root level of the HDT you want to load. When you use the **Split rows across path** field you must specify all filter paths rooted at the split path. If you do not use the **Split rows across path** field a normal HDT extraction path is used. See the [Hierarchical data path specifications](/pdia-data-integration/10.2-data-integration/advanced-topics-pentaho-data-integration-overview/hierarchical-data/hdt-path-specification.md).


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