Data Action JSON mapping failing on nested array response

Architect & Flows
1

Hey folks,

I’m trying to map a nested array from an external API call in a Genesys Cloud Data Action. The endpoint returns 200 OK with this payload:

{
 "data": [{"id": 1, "name": "Test"}]
}

I’ve set the Data Action variable mapping to $.data[0].id, but it keeps coming back as null in the flow. The $.data array itself is recognized, but drilling down fails. Am I missing a step in the JSON path syntax? The curl test works fine. What am I missing?

2

The issue here is how the JS SDK handles JSON deserialization when the response body isn’t explicitly told to be parsed as JSON. By default, the platformClient often returns the body as a raw string or a Buffer, depending on the underlying HTTP client version. If $.data is a stringified JSON array instead of an actual array object, $.data[0] just grabs the first character of the string (which is [), and .id on that character is undefined.

You’ll need to force the response to be parsed. In your Node.js integration that triggers this, or if you are using a custom script in Architect, make sure the content type is set and the parser is active.

Here’s how I’d handle it in a quick Node.js snippet to verify the payload structure before it hits Architect:

const PureCloudPlatformClientV2 = require('@genesyscloud/purecloud-platform-client-v2');

async function fetchAndParse() {
 const config = PureCloudPlatformClientV2.Configuration.default;
 config.clientId = process.env.GENESYS_CLIENT_ID;
 config.clientSecret = process.env.GENESYS_CLIENT_SECRET;

 const apiClient = new PureCloudPlatformClientV2.ApiClient();
 
 // Assuming this is an external call or internal platform call
 const response = await apiClient.invokeApi(
 '/api/v2/customattributes/...', 
 'GET', 
 {}, 
 {}, 
 {}, 
 'application/json', // Critical: tell it to expect JSON
 'application/json',
 null,
 true // force JSON parsing
 );

 const data = response.data;
 console.log('Type of data:', typeof data); 
 console.log('Is Array?:', Array.isArray(data));
 
 // If this logs false, your mapping $.data[0].id will fail in Architect
 // because you're trying to index a string or object incorrectly.
}

In Architect specifically, if you can’t change the upstream service, try adding a “Set Variable” step immediately after the Data Action. Map the raw response body to a temporary string variable, then use a Data Action that runs a simple JavaScript snippet to JSON.parse() that string and assign the result to your target variable. It’s a bit more verbose, but it bypasses the silent parsing failure.

3

Spot on with the string vs object theory. That’s the classic gotcha. The Data Action HTTP module doesn’t always coerce the body into a native object unless you’re explicit about it. If $.data is a string, $.data[0] is just the bracket character. .id on a bracket is undefined.

Here’s how I usually debug this mess. Check these three things in order:

  • Force JSON Parsing in the Data Action config. In the “Response” section of the Data Action, look for the “Content Type” or “Response Format” dropdown. It’s often defaulting to text/plain or application/octet-stream. Change it to application/json. This forces the platform to run JSON.parse() on the body before handing it to your flow variables.
  • Verify the actual type in the flow. Drop a “Log” step right after the Data Action. Log $.data and also typeof($.data). If the log shows "object" you’re good. If it shows "string", the parsing didn’t happen. You can also try logging $.data[0]. If it’s [, you’re dealing with a string.
  • Use a Lambda wrapper if the config is stubborn. Sometimes the built-in mapper is finicky with nested arrays. If the config change doesn’t stick, write a quick Node.js Lambda Data Action. It’s more reliable.
// Example Lambda handler
exports.handler = async (event) => {
 const payload = JSON.parse(event.body); // Ensure it's an object
 const id = payload.data && payload.data[0] ? payload.data[0].id : null;
 
 return {
 statusCode: 200,
 body: JSON.stringify({
 extractedId: id
 })
 };
};

This way you control the parsing logic completely. No guessing games with the UI mapper. Check the Content-Type header on the response too. If the external API is sending text/html or something weird, Genesys might ignore the JSON hint.