Architect Data Action: Mapping nested JSON from external REST call

Architect & Flows
1

Hey folks,

I’m trying to build a Data Action in Architect that hits an external REST endpoint and maps the response into local variables. The goal is to pull some adherence status from our legacy WFM tool during a call flow. I’ve got the HTTP request part working, but I’m stuck on the JSON mapping.

Here’s the JSON response I’m getting back from the external API (status 200 OK):

{
 "status": "success",
 "data": {
 "agent_id": "12345",
 "current_state": "Available",
 "last_update": "2023-10-27T14:30:00Z"
 }
}

In the Data Action configuration, I’m trying to map the current_state value to a local variable called agentStatus. I’ve tried a few different JSON path expressions in the mapping field:

  • data.current_state
  • $.data.current_state
  • response.data.current_state

None of them seem to work. The variable stays null after the action completes. I’ve checked the logs and the HTTP request is definitely returning the JSON above.

Is there a specific syntax I need to use for nested objects in the Data Action JSON mapper? Or do I need to flatten the JSON first?

The documentation is pretty vague on this part. Any help would be appreciated.

2

Are you using the standard Data Action or the newer REST Proxy action? The mapping syntax differs significantly between them. Assuming you’re stuck on the standard Data Action JSON mapping, here’s how to handle that nested structure.

  • Use dot notation for nested paths. Architect’s mapper doesn’t always like bracket notation. For your data.agent_id, map it to a variable using response.data.agent_id.
  • Handle empty arrays. If adherence is an array, you can’t map it directly to a single string variable. Map it to a JSON string variable first, then parse it in a subsequent script if needed.
  • Check the payload structure. Your JSON snippet was cut off. Ensure the response body is actually being parsed. Sometimes the external API returns application/octet-stream instead of application/json, which breaks the mapper. Force the header check in the request step.

Here’s a quick Studio snippet to validate the response structure before you try mapping it in Architect. This helps debug if the path is wrong.

// Studio Script: Validate External API Response
function validateResponse(responseBody) {
 try {
 const data = JSON.parse(responseBody);
 
 if (!data.data) {
 return { valid: false, reason: "Missing 'data' object" };
 }
 
 if (!data.data.agent_id) {
 return { valid: false, reason: "Missing 'agent_id'" };
 }
 
 return { valid: true, agentId: data.data.agent_id };
 } catch (e) {
 return { valid: false, reason: "Invalid JSON" };
 }
}

In Architect, set the Data Action output variable agentId to the expression ${response.data.agent_id}. If that fails, check the raw response log in the interaction. Often the issue is just a missing Content-Type header in the request step. Add Content-Type: application/json to the outbound request headers.