diff --git a/data/datasource.go b/data/datasource.go
index 2e52c9e8..147ba013 100644
--- a/data/datasource.go
+++ b/data/datasource.go
@@ -320,10 +320,18 @@ func parseData(mimeType, s string) (out interface{}, err error) {
 	switch mimeAlias(mimeType) {
 	case jsonMimetype:
 		out, err = JSON(s)
+		if err != nil {
+			// maybe it's a JSON array
+			out, err = JSONArray(s)
+		}
 	case jsonArrayMimetype:
 		out, err = JSONArray(s)
 	case yamlMimetype:
 		out, err = YAML(s)
+		if err != nil {
+			// maybe it's a YAML array
+			out, err = YAMLArray(s)
+		}
 	case csvMimetype:
 		out, err = CSV(s)
 	case tomlMimetype:
diff --git a/data/datasource_test.go b/data/datasource_test.go
index 3a71de14..003d7731 100644
--- a/data/datasource_test.go
+++ b/data/datasource_test.go
@@ -68,16 +68,27 @@ func TestDatasource(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 		return &Data{Sources: sources}
 	}
-	test := func(ext, mime string, contents []byte) {
+	test := func(ext, mime string, contents []byte, expected interface{}) {
 		data := setup(ext, mime, contents)
-		expected := map[string]interface{}{"hello": map[string]interface{}{"cruel": "world"}}
+
 		actual, err := data.Datasource("foo")
 		assert.NoError(t, err)
 		assert.Equal(t, expected, actual)
 	}
 
-	test("json", jsonMimetype, []byte(`{"hello":{"cruel":"world"}}`))
-	test("yml", yamlMimetype, []byte("hello:\n  cruel: world\n"))
+	testObj := func(ext, mime string, contents []byte) {
+		test(ext, mime, contents,
+			map[string]interface{}{
+				"hello": map[string]interface{}{"cruel": "world"},
+			})
+	}
+
+	testObj("json", jsonMimetype, []byte(`{"hello":{"cruel":"world"}}`))
+	testObj("yml", yamlMimetype, []byte("hello:\n  cruel: world\n"))
+	test("json", jsonMimetype, []byte(`[1, "two", true]`),
+		[]interface{}{1, "two", true})
+	test("yaml", yamlMimetype, []byte("---\n- 1\n- two\n- true\n"),
+		[]interface{}{1, "two", true})
 
 	d := setup("", textMimetype, nil)
 	actual, err := d.Datasource("foo")
diff --git a/docs-src/content/functions/data.yml b/docs-src/content/functions/data.yml
index a512c078..15106372 100644
--- a/docs-src/content/functions/data.yml
+++ b/docs-src/content/functions/data.yml
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ funcs:
   - name: datasource
     alias: ds
     description: |
-      Parses a given datasource (provided by the [`--datasource/-d`](#--datasource-d) argument or [`defineDatasource`](#definedatasource)).
+      Parses a given datasource (provided by the [`--datasource/-d`](../../usage/#datasource-d) argument or [`defineDatasource`](#definedatasource)).
 
       If the `alias` is undefined, but is a valid URL, `datasource` will dynamically read from that URL.
 
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ funcs:
   - name: datasourceExists
     description: |
       Tests whether or not a given datasource was defined on the commandline (with the
-      [`--datasource/-d`](#--datasource-d) argument). This is intended mainly to allow
+      [`--datasource/-d`](../../usage/#datasource-d) argument). This is intended mainly to allow
       a template to be rendered differently whether or not a given datasource was
       defined.
 
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ funcs:
         no worries
   - name: defineDatasource
     description: |
-      Define a datasource alias with target URL inside the template. Overridden by the [`--datasource/-d`](#--datasource-d) flag.
+      Define a datasource alias with target URL inside the template. Overridden by the [`--datasource/-d`](../../usage/#datasource-d) flag.
 
       Note: once a datasource is defined, it can not be redefined (i.e. if this function is called twice with the same alias, only the first applies).
 
@@ -94,14 +94,14 @@ funcs:
         ```
   - name: include
     description: |
-      Includes the content of a given datasource (provided by the [`--datasource/-d`](../usage/#datasource-d) argument).
+      Includes the content of a given datasource (provided by the [`--datasource/-d`](../../usage/#datasource-d) argument).
 
       This is similar to [`datasource`](#datasource), except that the data is not parsed. There is no restriction on the type of data included, except that it should be textual.
     pipeline: false
     arguments:
       - name: alias
         required: true
-        description: the datasource alias, as provided by [`--datasource/-d`](../usage/#datasource-d)
+        description: the datasource alias, as provided by [`--datasource/-d`](../../usage/#datasource-d)
       - name: subpath
         required: false
         description: the subpath to use, if supported by the datasource
@@ -132,7 +132,10 @@ funcs:
   - name: data.JSON
     alias: json
     description: |
-      Converts a JSON string into an object. Only works for JSON Objects (not Arrays or other valid JSON types). This can be used to access properties of JSON objects.
+      Converts a JSON string into an object. Works for JSON Objects, but will
+      also parse JSON Arrays. Will not parse other valid JSON types.
+
+      For more explict JSON Array support, see [`data.JSONArray`](#data-jsonarray).
 
       #### Encrypted JSON support (EJSON)
 
@@ -182,7 +185,10 @@ funcs:
   - name: data.YAML
     alias: yaml
     description: |
-      Converts a YAML string into an object. Only works for YAML Objects (not Arrays or other valid YAML types). This can be used to access properties of YAML objects.
+      Converts a YAML string into an object. Works for YAML Objects but will
+      also parse YAML Arrays. This can be used to access properties of YAML objects.
+
+      For more explict YAML Array support, see [`data.JSONArray`](#data-yamlarray).
     pipeline: true
     arguments:
       - name: in
diff --git a/docs/content/datasources.md b/docs/content/datasources.md
index 67959b25..65f107e4 100644
--- a/docs/content/datasources.md
+++ b/docs/content/datasources.md
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ These are the supported types:
 | Format | MIME Type | Extension(s) | Notes |
 |--------|-----------|-------|------|
 | CSV | `text/csv` | `.csv` | Uses the [`data.CSV`][] function to present the file as a 2-dimensional row-first string array |
-| JSON | `application/json` | `.json` | [JSON][] _objects_ are assumed, and arrays or other values are not parsed with this type. Uses the [`data.JSON`][] function for parsing. [EJSON][] (encrypted JSON) is supported and will be decrypted. |
+| JSON | `application/json` | `.json` | [JSON][] _objects_ are assumed, but will support arrays as well. Other values are not parsed with this type. Uses the [`data.JSON`][] function for parsing. [EJSON][] (encrypted JSON) is supported and will be decrypted. |
 | JSON Array | `application/array+json` | | A special type for parsing datasources containing just JSON arrays. Uses the [`data.JSONArray`][] function for parsing |
 | Plain Text | `text/plain` | | Unstructured, and as such only intended for use with the [`include`][] function |
 | TOML | `application/toml` | `.toml` | Parses [TOML][] with the [`data.TOML`][] function |
diff --git a/docs/content/functions/data.md b/docs/content/functions/data.md
index b09200e8..4845de60 100644
--- a/docs/content/functions/data.md
+++ b/docs/content/functions/data.md
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ A collection of functions that retrieve, parse, and convert structured data.
 
 **Alias:** `ds`
 
-Parses a given datasource (provided by the [`--datasource/-d`](#--datasource-d) argument or [`defineDatasource`](#definedatasource)).
+Parses a given datasource (provided by the [`--datasource/-d`](../../usage/#datasource-d) argument or [`defineDatasource`](#definedatasource)).
 
 If the `alias` is undefined, but is a valid URL, `datasource` will dynamically read from that URL.
 
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ Hello Dave
 ## `datasourceExists`
 
 Tests whether or not a given datasource was defined on the commandline (with the
-[`--datasource/-d`](#--datasource-d) argument). This is intended mainly to allow
+[`--datasource/-d`](../../usage/#datasource-d) argument). This is intended mainly to allow
 a template to be rendered differently whether or not a given datasource was
 defined.
 
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ no worries
 
 ## `defineDatasource`
 
-Define a datasource alias with target URL inside the template. Overridden by the [`--datasource/-d`](#--datasource-d) flag.
+Define a datasource alias with target URL inside the template. Overridden by the [`--datasource/-d`](../../usage/#datasource-d) flag.
 
 Note: once a datasource is defined, it can not be redefined (i.e. if this function is called twice with the same alias, only the first applies).
 
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ Hello Daisy
 
 ## `include`
 
-Includes the content of a given datasource (provided by the [`--datasource/-d`](../usage/#datasource-d) argument).
+Includes the content of a given datasource (provided by the [`--datasource/-d`](../../usage/#datasource-d) argument).
 
 This is similar to [`datasource`](#datasource), except that the data is not parsed. There is no restriction on the type of data included, except that it should be textual.
 
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ include alias [subpath]
 
 | name | description |
 |------|-------------|
-| `alias` | _(required)_ the datasource alias, as provided by [`--datasource/-d`](../usage/#datasource-d) |
+| `alias` | _(required)_ the datasource alias, as provided by [`--datasource/-d`](../../usage/#datasource-d) |
 | `subpath` | _(optional)_ the subpath to use, if supported by the datasource |
 
 ### Examples
@@ -182,7 +182,10 @@ $ gomplate -d person.json -f input.tmpl
 
 **Alias:** `json`
 
-Converts a JSON string into an object. Only works for JSON Objects (not Arrays or other valid JSON types). This can be used to access properties of JSON objects.
+Converts a JSON string into an object. Works for JSON Objects, but will
+also parse JSON Arrays. Will not parse other valid JSON types.
+
+For more explict JSON Array support, see [`data.JSONArray`](#data-jsonarray).
 
 #### Encrypted JSON support (EJSON)
 
@@ -258,7 +261,10 @@ Hello world
 
 **Alias:** `yaml`
 
-Converts a YAML string into an object. Only works for YAML Objects (not Arrays or other valid YAML types). This can be used to access properties of YAML objects.
+Converts a YAML string into an object. Works for YAML Objects but will
+also parse YAML Arrays. This can be used to access properties of YAML objects.
+
+For more explict YAML Array support, see [`data.JSONArray`](#data-yamlarray).
 
 ### Usage