How to: Use the Nest By and Table2Object Operators Together

Arrays are a great way to store large amounts of data. The Nest By operator lets you create a nested array in your parent array to group information by a particular key/value pair. In this example, you’ll nest data by an account number, where the account number key/value pair exists at the data structure's top level.

The account number exists as a value in the key/accountNumber pair. But you might want the account number to be the key instead of a value. Using a Table2Object operator, you'll convert your array of objects to an object. Each object in the source array of objects becomes a key/value pair in the final object. In this case, each key will be a unique account number. And the value will be the nested array associated with that account number.

Configuration

For this example, create a Data Table component that stores a list of customers, account values, and account numbers. Then, set up a Data Workflow component and convert your array of objects to an object. Each object in the source array of objects becomes a key/value pair in the final object. In this case, each key will be a unique account number, and the value will be the nested array associated with that account number. A Hidden component is added to store your Data Workflow's output.

Configure the Data Table Component

First, you'll set up a Data Table component with a list of customers, account values, and account numbers.

1. In the Module Builder, drag and drop a Data Table component onto your canvas.

2. In the Property ID fields, enter dtAccountInfo.

3. In the data table, enter the following:

   accountNumber	firstName	lastName	accountValue
   12345	Josephine	Darakjy	543891
   12346	Lenna	Paprocki	1000000
   12346	Sage	Wieser	1000000
   12347	Abel	Maclead	7432572
   12348	Ernie	Stenseth	5000000
   12349	Valentine	Gillian	5439294
   12346	Dyan	Oldroyd	17890
   12347	Fatima	Saylors	19578
   12347	Willow	Kusko	54389

   You purposely added duplicate information to show the power of the Nest By operator.

   

4. Click Save Component.

Configure the Hidden Component

Now, add a Hidden component to store your Data Workflow's output.

1. Drag and drop a Hidden component onto your canvas, placing it below your Data Table component.

2. In the Property ID and Label Text fields, enter output.

3. Click Save Component.

Configure the Button Component

Next, add a Button component to trigger your Data Workflow component.

1. Drag and drop a Button component onto your canvas, placing it below your output Hidden component.

2. In the Property ID field, enter btnNestToObject.

3. In the Label Text field, enter Nest to Object.

4. From the Action Type drop-down, select Event.

5. In the On Click field, enter dwfNestToObject.

   

6. Click Save Component.

Configure the Data Workflow Component

Lastly, you’ll add a Data Workflow component to convert your array of objects to an object.

1. Drag and drop a Data Workflow component onto your canvas, placing it below your btnNestToObject Button component.

2. In the Property ID and Canvas Label Text fields, enter dwfNestToObject.

Configure the Input Operator

1. Drag and drop an Input operator onto your Data Workflow canvas.

2. Configure the operator's Info window as follows:

   Setting	Value
   Category	Input
   Component	dtAccountInfo
   Required	No
   Source	Default

Configure the Nest By Operator

1. Drag and drop a Nest By operator onto your Data Workflow canvas.

2. Configure the operator's Info window as follows:

   Setting	Value
   Category	Nest By
   Label	accountNumber
   Parent Keys	accountNumber
   Child Name	account

3. Connect the output port (right) of the dtAccountInfo Input operator to the input port (left) of the accountNumber Nest By operator.

Configure the Table2Object Operator

1. Drag and drop a Table2Object operator onto your Data Workflow canvas.

2. Configure the operator's Info window as follows:

   Setting	Value
   Category	Table2Object
   Label	Nest to Object
   Key Column Name	accountNumber
   Value Column Name	account

3. Connect the output port (right) of the accountNumber Nest By operator to the input port (left) of the Nest to Object Table2Object operator.

Configure the Output Operator

1. Drag and drop an Output operator onto your Data Workflow canvas.

2. Configure the operator's Info window as follows:

   Setting	Value
   Category	Output
   Component	output
   Action	value

3. Connect the output port (right) of the Nest to Object  Table2Object operator to the input (left) port of the output  Output operator.

Configure the First Console Operator

1. Drag and drop another Console operator onto your Data Workflow canvas.

2. Configure the operator's Info window as follows:

   Setting	Value
   Category	Console
   Label	After Nest By

3. Connect the output port (right) of the accountNumber  Nest By operator to the input port (left) of the After Nest By Console operator.

4. Click Save Component.

Configure the Second Console Operator

1. Drag and drop another Console operator onto your Data Workflow canvas.

2. Configure the operator's Info window as follows:

   Setting	Value
   Category	Console
   Label	After Table2Object

3. Connect the output port (right) of the Nest to Object Table2Object operator to the input port (left) of the After Table2Object Console operator.

   

4. Click Save Component.

5. Save your module.

Here's how your module looks in the Module Builder:

Preview your module in Express View and open the DevTools Console. Click the Nest to Object button, and you'll see your data grouped by account number in the After Nest By Console operator. In the After Table2Object Console operator, you'll see that each account number is now an array of objects. Expand a tab and you'll see the array(s) inside each object.