Clean Keys Operator

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  • Published on Sep 26, 2025
  • 12 minute(s) read
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Overview                                                        

The Data Workflow component's Clean Keys operator replaces empty or missing values with a string or number value.

In a module, table data stores in an array. An array organizes data into keys and values. The Clean Keys operator uses key names to create new keys and fill their values, or fill values in an existing key.

The operator has the following options for filling in data values:

  • Missing: Fills values for existing and non-existing keys. Adds a key if it does not exist in your data, and fills all values for that key.

  • Empty: Creates values in your data for existing keys.

  • Empty: Creates values in your data for existing keys.

You’ll find the Clean Keys operator under the Table group to the left of your Data Workflow canvas.

About the Info Window

Learn more about each setting in the Clean Keys operator's Info window:

Setting

Value

Category

Grayed out and non-adjustable setting indicating the operation type.

Label

Sets the label for your operator, displaying below the operator on your Data Workflow canvas.

This field is optional, but set a label if you use more than one of the same operator type. A label helps you identify your operators without opening any Info windows.

Preserve Argument Type

When selected, this setting ensures the argument data type is respected when the operator executes.

Fill If

Select the types of keys or values that are modified by the operator:

  • Missing: Fills values for keys containing missing values. This option creates a key if it's missing from your data set. It also fills all values under the generated key with the value from Fill With.

    If you add a value to your data set and then delete it, the value  is set to Empty.

  • Empty: Fills data values that have a key but are empty.

  • Missing or Empty: Fills values for data sets that are missing a key, or that have a key and are missing values.

Keys

Enter your key names here for the following:

  • For Missing keys, enter the replacement key name.

  • For Empty values, enter the replacement value.

    You can enter more than one key name in this field.

Fill With

The value entered replaces the empty or missing value. If your key is Missing and does not exist on your data set, this field adds all data under the new key field. If your field is Empty, this field fills the values under the key name you entered.

Adding a Clean Keys Operator

Set up a data table that records employee AWS (Amazon Web Services) certification. Use a Data Workflow and Clean Keys operator to replace empty certification values with a value of none. Then, display the modified data using a ViewGrid component.

Configure the Data Table Component

Add a Data Table component containing the certification data with missing values.

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

  2. In the Property ID  field, enter dtAWSCertData.

  3. In the data table, enter the following:

    A

    B

    C

    D

    1                                                                    

    firstName

    certification

    accountValue

    dateOfBirth

    2

    Blair

    aws solutions architect

    1000000

    07/23/90

    3

    JJ

    678900

    02/26/89

    4

    Jim

    1000000

    01/04/88

    5

    Evan

    aws developer

    null

    6

    Charlotte

    aws security

    5000000

    02/01/91

    7

    Amy

    aws database

    5439294

    8

    Brian

    aws machine learning

  4. Click Save Component.

Configure the Hidden Component

Add a Hidden component to store the output from the Data Workflow component. You'll set up a Data Workflow in the next section.

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

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

  3. Click Save Component.

Configure the Data Workflow Component

Next, add a Data Workflow component and configure a Clean Keys operator to locate and replace missing values in the dtAWSCertData Data Table component's certification column. Additionally, add Console operators to view how the data is modified by the Clean Keys operator.

  1. Drag and drop a Data Workflow component onto your canvas, placing it between the dtAWSCertData Data Table and addedCert Hidden components.

  2. In the Property ID field, enter dwfFillKeysIfEmpty.

  3. In the Canvas Label Text, enter dwfFillKeysIfEmpty.

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:

    Info

    Category

    Input

    Component

    dtAWSCertData

    Required

    Yes

    Source

    Default

Configure the First Console Operator

Next, configure a Console operator to display the dtAWSCertData data before manipulation.

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

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

    Info

    Category

    Console

    Label

    Input Data

  3. Connect the output port (right) of the dtAWSCertData Input operator to the input port (left) of the Input Data Console operator.

Configure the Clean Keys Operator

Add the Clean Keys operator to fill the empty values in the certification column with a value of none.

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

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

    Info

    Category

    Clean Keys

    Label

    Fill Certification

    Preserve Argument Type

    ☐ (unchecked)

    Fill If

    Empty

    Keys

    certification

    Fill With

    none

  3. Connect the output port (right) of the dtAWSCertData Input operator to the input port (left) of the Fill Certification Clean Keys operator.

Configure the Second Console Operator

Add another Console operator to display the dtAWSCertData data after it passes through the Clean Keys operator.

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

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

    Info

    Category

    Console

    Label

    Fill Certification

  3. Connect the output port (right) of the Fill CertificationClean Keys operator to the input port (left) of the Fill Certification Console 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:

    Info

    Category

    Output

    Component

    addedCert

    Action

    value

  3. Connect the output port (right) of the Fill Certification Clean Keys operator to the input port (left) of the addedCert Output operator.

  4. Click Save Component.

Here's how the completed Data Workflow looks:

Configure the ViewGrid Component

Set up a ViewGrid component to display the data after the Data Workflow manipulates the empty certification keys.

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

  2. In the Property ID field, enter vgCertificates.

  3. In theCanvas Label Text, enter vgCertificates.

  4. Navigate to the Data settings.

  5. In the Inputs table, enter the following:

    Source

    Required

    1

    addedCert

    ☐ (unchecked)

  6. In the Display table, enter the following:

    Display

    Formula

    Heading

    Type

    1

    firstName

    First Name

    2

    certification

    Certification

    3

    accountValue

    Account Value

    4

    dateOfBirth

    Date of Birth

  7. Navigate to the Actions settings.

  8. In the Action field, enter null.

  9. Click Save Component.

Configure the Button Component

Lastly, configure a Button component to trigger the Data Workflow.

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

  2. In the Property ID field, enter btnFillKeys.

  3. In the Label Text field, enter Fill Keys.

  4. Navigate to the Actions settings.

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

  6. From the On Click drop-down, enter or select dwfFillKeysIfEmpty.

                                                           

  7. Click Save Component.

  8. Save your module.

Your completed module looks like the following:

Preview your module in Express View and open the DevTools Console. Click Fill Keys. Open each Console operator array and observe the difference between the certification values. The Clean Keys operator replaces missing certification values with the value of none.

Overview

The Data Workflow component's Clean Keys operator replaces empty or missing values with a string or number value.

In a module, table data stores in an array. An array organizes data into keys and values. The Clean Keys operator uses key names to create new keys and fill their values, or fill values in an existing key.

The operator has the following options for filling in data values:

  • Missing: Fills values for existing and non-existing keys. Adds a key if it does not exist in your data, and fills all values for that key.

  • Empty: Creates values in your data for existing keys.

  • Empty: Creates values in your data for existing keys.

You’ll find the Clean Keys operator under the Table group to the left of your Data Workflow canvas.

About the Info Window

Learn more about each setting in the Clean Keys operator's Info window:

Setting

Description

Category

Grayed out and non-adjustable setting indicating the operation type.

Label

Sets the label for your operator, displaying below the operator on your Data Workflow canvas.

This field is optional, but set a label if you use more than one of the same operator type. A label helps you identify your operators without opening any Info windows.

Preserve Argument Type

When selected, this setting ensures the argument data type is respected when the operator executes.

Fill If

Select the types of keys or values that are modified by the operator:

  • Missing: Fills values for keys containing missing values. This option creates a key if it's missing from your data set. It also fills all values under the generated key with the value from Fill With.

    If you add a value to your data set and then delete it, the value  is set to Empty.

  • Empty: Fills data values that have a key but are empty.

  • Missing or Empty: Fills values for data sets that are missing a key or that have a key and are missing values.

Keys

Enter your key names here for the following:

  • For Missing keys, enter the replacement key name.

  • For Empty values, enter replacement value.

    You can enter more than one key name in this field.

Fill With

The value entered replaces the empty or missing value. If your key is Missing and does not exist on your data set, this field adds all data under the new key field. If your field is Empty, this field fills the values under the key name you entered.

Adding a Clean Keys Operator

Set up a data table that records employee AWS (Amazon Web Services) certification. Use a Data Workflow and Clean Keys operator to replace empty certification values with a value of none. Then, display the modified data using a ViewGrid component.

Configure the Data Table Component

Add a Data Table component containing the certification data with missing values.

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

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

  3. In the data table, enter the following:

    A

    B

    C

    D

    1                                                                    

    firstName

    certification

    accountValue

    dateOfBirth

    2

    Blair

    aws solutions architect

    1000000

    07/23/90

    3

    JJ

    678900

    02/26/89

    4

    Jim

    1000000

    01/04/88

    5

    Evan

    aws developer

    null

    6

    Charlotte

    aws security

    5000000

    02/01/91

    7

    Amy

    aws database

    5439294

    8

    Brian

    aws machine learning

  4. Click Save & Close.

Configure the Hidden Component

Add a Hidden component to store the output from the Data Workflow component. You'll set up a Data Workflow in the next section.

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

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

  3. Click Save & Close.

Configure the Data Workflow Component

Next, add a Data Workflow component and configure a Clean Keys operator to locate and replace missing values in the dtAWSCertData Data Table component's certification column. Additionally, add Console operators to view how the data is modified by the Clean Keys operator.

  1. Drag and drop a Data Workflow component onto your canvas, placing it between the dtAWSCertData Data Table . and addedCert Hidden components.

  2. In the Canvas Label Text and Property Name fields, enter dwfFillKeysIfEmpty.

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

    dtAWSCertData

    Required

    Yes

    Source

    Default

Configure the First Console Operator

Next, configure a Console operator to display the dtAWSCertData data before manipulation.

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

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

    Setting

    Value

    Category

    Console

    Label

    Input Data

  3. Connect the output port (right) of the dtAWSCertData Input operator to the input port (left) of the Input Data Console operator.

Configure the Clean Keys Operator

Add the Clean Keys operator to fill the empty values in the certification column with a value of none.

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

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

    Setting

    Value

    Category

    Clean Keys

    Label

    Fill Certification

    Preserve Argument Type

    ☐ (unchecked)

    Fill If

    Empty

    Keys

    certification

    Fill With

    none

  3. Connect the output port (right) of the dtAWSCertData Input operator to the input port (left) of the Fill Certification Clean Keys operator.

Configure the Second Console Operator

Add another Console operator to display the dtAWSCertData data after it passes through the Clean Keys operator.

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

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

    Setting

    Value

    Category

    Console

    Label

    Fill Certification

  3. Connect the output port (right) of the Fill CertificationClean Keys operator to the input port (left) of the Fill Certification Console 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

    addedCert

    Action

    value

  3. Connect the output port (right) of the Fill Certification Clean Keys operator to the input port (left) of the addedCert Output operator.

  4. Click Save.

Here's how the completed Data Workflow looks:

Configure the ViewGrid Component

Set up a ViewGrid component to display the data after the Data Workflow manipulates the empty certification keys.

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

  2. In the Property ID field, enter vgCertificates.

  3. In theCanvas Label Text, enter vgCertificates.

  4. Navigate to the Data settings.

  5. In the Inputs table, enter the following:

    Source

    Required

    1

    addedCert

    ☐ (unchecked)

  6. In the Display table, enter the following:

    Display

    Formula

    Heading

    Type

    1

    firstName

    First Name

    2

    certification

    Certification

    3

    accountValue

    Account Value

    4

    dateOfBirth

    Date of Birth

  7. Navigate to the Actions settings.

  8. In the Action field, enter null.

  9. Click Save.

Configure the Button Component

Lastly, configure a Button component to trigger the Data Workflow.

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

  2. In the Property ID field, enter btnFillKeys.

  3. In the Label Text field, enter Fill Keys.

  4. Navigate to the Actions settings.

  5. Set the  Action Type to Event.

  6. In the On Click field, enter or select dwfFillKeysIfEmpty.

  7. Click Save & Close.

  8. Save your module.

Your completed module looks like the following:

Preview your module in Express View and open the DevTools Console. Click Fill Keys. Open each Console operator array and observe the difference between the certification values. The Clean Keys operator replaces missing certification values with the value of none.

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