Detect if variable is an array or a string

[dht6000]

Hi,

I'm working on a Flow that fetches JSON from an API. the schema has a couple of properties where the returned data can be a string, an array of strings or null (missing entirely).

The snippet of the schema looks like this

"name": { "anyOf" : [
{
"type": "string"
},
{
"type": "array"
},
{
"type": "null"
}
]
},

....

I'd like to be able to have the data in a single string for onwards use, and have used the join function when an array is returned OK, but it fails when a string is returned.

Is it possible to tell what the returned type of a property is so I can select the right method to handle it? I've read around it quite a bit but am stuck.

[leo85 · Accepted solution]

Hi @dht6000 ,

As far as I know, there is no easy out-of-the-box way to differentiate between an array or string.

You could use the following work around:

1. Initialize a string variable for the result, that saves the result of the API request.

1. Create a scope action.

2. Within the scope, set the string variable, assuming that you will receive an array. Note: you cannot initialize the variable within the scope.

3. After the scope, initialize a second string variable, when the scope fails (run-after). This variable saves the result of the scope.

Now you have two options:

1. The scope succeeds and you've got the result in your first string variable.

2. The scope fails. It's likely, your result was not an array, but a string or null. You can check with the result in the string variable.

The result if the scope, because it was given a string, looks like this:

Unable to process template language expressions in action 'Set_variable' inputs at line '1' and column '9893': 'The template language function 'join' expects its first parameter to be an array. The provided value is of type 'String'. Please see https://aka.ms/logicexpressions#join for usage details.'

I hoped this helps.

Regards,

Leo

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[dht6000]

Thanks @leo85 that worked a treat. I ended up not using the second string but feeding the Scope output straight to a Condition to check for Failed or Aborted in the status, if that is true then I just set my String variable equal to the JSON output.

I found that in this article https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/logic-apps/logic-apps-control-flow-run-steps-group-scopes

Thanks again!

Dave