Convert JSON string to JSON array

[cmiller2784]

I've got a system that handles some user input and for questions with multiple checkboxes, it stores the value as a string with a pipe delimiter. We need to transfer some of this data from this one system to a secondary system. Structure of the first system is fixed and can't be changed so I'm trying to use Flow to handle some of the data conversion in the middle

Here's how the data would be POSTed to Flow in key:value pair.

"components": "Value A | Value B | Value C"

Using Flow, I've been able to use the split() function to take this value and convert it to the following:

[

    "Value A",

    "Value B",

    "Value C"

]

This is where I get stuck. I need the array to be arranged as a JSON key:value pairing. It would need to look like this before I can transfer the JSON to a secondary system. How do I get the above string or array to output like below?

[

            {

                "name": "Value A"

            },

            {

                "name": "Value B"

            },

            {

                "name": "Value C"

            }

        ],

[cmiller2784 · Accepted solution]

Was able to fix my own issue using a combination of "Apply to Each" and the item() expression. I was able to output the value as follows:

[{"name":"Value A"},{"name":"Value B"},{"name":"Value C"}]

Step 1: Take the string, use split() to convert the string into an array based on the delimiter.

Step 2: Create an array variable with no value.

Step 3: Using the "Apply to each" control, take the Compose output from Step 1 and input the key pairing I needed, "name" in this case. The item() function returns an array object for each iteration when used with "Apply to each". 

Step 3A. Append the output from Compose 2 to the Array Variable. 

Here's a screenshot of the flow:

[TOPDHI]

Too long...

1, Init array variable

2, do ParseJSON for your JSON in string

3, Set body from ParseJSON outcome directly as an array value in SetVariable you created in step 1.

No need to apply to each and additional clutter. Works for me. 

Tomas

[cmiller2784]

Except that method doesn't give me what I'm looking for. Your solution only supplies an array without the necessary JSON key, it just supplies the value. 

[LinnZawWin]

I was solving the same issue today and I managed to convert the JSON string to JSON array using json() expression.

More details can be found in the link below.

http://persnicketypowerapps.blogspot.com/2018/10/json-operations-in-ms-flow.html

[tintuazonlim]

Thank you so much!!!

[RRanks]

Agree.. I followed your steps. Much easier took me.. less than a 1min to configure

[subsguts]

I wish you'd post exactly what is in your functions, that would be very useful.  Thanks

[zylantha2]

Thanks @LinnZawWin your solution is better than the accepted one.

Loops in PowerAutomate are slow and should be avoided.

Doing it with a json() call is fast and super-simple, running within a native function rather than running within PowerAutomate.  Yours should be the accepted answer.