Help ;-) - how to get the first object out of an array and convert it to a string?

[Femke1]

Hi,

I'm struggling for a few hours now... And I know it must be so so simple, once I understand more about arrays, strings and expressions...

I have an array with different values in it. Let's say (to keep it simple):

[
{
"Name": "Sheila",
"Email": "abc@test.com",
"Day": "50"
},
{
"Name": "John",
"Email": "xyz@test.com",
"Day": "50"
}
]

I want the value 50 (of which I know is the same througout my array) as a string. It is dynamic, so each time my flow runs, this could be a different value. I want to use this value in the name of a file.

The steps that I have now, are:

- Action 'Select' to get an array which contains only "Day"

- Action 'Compose' with expression 'first' to get the first object out of the array

I also tried this:

- Action 'Compose' with expression 'join' to turn the array into a string? Don't know if that worked, because the output is:

{"Day":"50"};{"Day":"50"}

Is there somebody who can help me? It is much appreciated!

Femke

[Ahammad_Riyaz]

Hi @Femke1 ,

You can try with this approach, screenshot given for your reference.

Instead of compose inside apply to each you can use string variable.

If I have answered your question, please mark it as the preferred solution. If you like my response, please give it a Thumbs Up.

Regards,
Riyaz

[Femke1]

Thank you so much, @Ahammad_Riyaz !

I've tested this, and now I have multiple times the value of 'Day' in my Apply to each - as many as I have objects, right? How can I now get 1 of those, to use in a file name?

[Femke1]

Hi Riyaz,

Do you mean like this?

I think this will work (thanks a lot!), but the flow has to go trough the step 'Set variable 2' numerous times (as many as I have objects - right)?

Femke

[Ahammad_Riyaz]

Am bit confused what is the exact requirement you are looking for?

[Femke1]

I want to get '50' as a string value to use in a file name 😉

[Archy]

in the compose select 'current item' from select, and the loop will be automatically added. and you can 

later adjust the select to have all the fields that u need. 

this is the result:

Hope it helps
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

If my answer helps you solve the problem, please hit the 👍 and accept it as a solution.

[Femke1]

Hi @Archy,

Thanks for replying!

Your solution will give me a loop again (and also an object if I see that correctly?). I just want 1 value (I know 'Day' has the same value each flow).

I have already tried the 'Select' action, with a better result. See my original post:

The steps that I have now, are:

- Action 'Select' to get an array which contains only "Day"

- Action 'Compose' with expression 'first' to get the first object out of the array

This last 'Compose' will give me the exact same output as yours, but just 1, and not in a loop. I'm looking for a string output '50'.

Thanks again, Femke

[Femke1]

To explain myself further, the suggestion from Riyaz did work, but I'm doubting if the 'Apply to each' loop is necessary? This takes a lot of time if the flow has to loop through let's say... 100 objects?

You can see the wanted result (but still with the loop) below:

[Archy · Accepted solution]

ok, I see, naturally when dealing with multiple items I assumed that u want the day for each item. 

then this is what u need ?

use:  string(variables('test')[0]['Day'])

Result:

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

If my answer helps you solve the problem, please hit the 👍 and accept it as a solution.

[Femke1]

Wow, that does the trick! Thank you so so much, you made my day 🙂 🥳🥳🥳

I already thought it had to be very simple 🙈

[Archy]

Np, glad to help. 

Please accept the answer as a solution to close the thread. 

Happy cording 🙂

[David_MA]

Using your sample data, set up your flow like this by passing your array through a Compose action:

Then to get the value of Day from the first item as a string, use this expression:

string(first(outputs('Compose_Array'))['Day'])

If you don't rename your Compose action, you will need to adjust the expression accordingly. To return a different value from the first item, replace Day with either Name or Email for example.

[Femke1]

Hi David,

Thanks for your input! I can try that as well, but for now my problem is solved 🥳

Femke