TL;DR: Turn an array into an object in Power Automate by combining a Select action with nested Replace expressions, no loops required.
💡 Challenge
You’re dealing with data that arrives as an array, but you need it in an object format. How can you efficiently transform this data?
✅ Solution
Use Power Automate’s Select and Replace actions to transform the data format without manually restructuring it.
🔧 How It’s Done
1. Select action
🔸 Create a new array extracting keys and values from the original array.
2. Replace action
🔸 Use the following expression to transform the array into an object:
@{replace(replace(replace(string(body('Select')),'},{',','),']',''),'[','')}
🎉 Result
You’ve successfully transformed array data into an object format.
🌟 Key Advantages
🔸 Efficiency: Transform data formats quickly, saving time and effort
🔸 Data Integrity: Maintain accuracy and ensure correct formatting for downstream processes
🔸 Versatility: Apply this technique to various data transformation scenarios
🎥 Video Tutorial
🛠️ FAQ
Q: Why use the Select and Replace actions in Power Automate?
Select helps extract key-value pairs into a new array, and Replace quickly converts that array string into an object without complex loops.
Q: Can this approach handle nested arrays or objects?
Yes. By adjusting the Select mapping and nested Replace patterns, you can tailor the method to more complex data structures.
Q: What happens if the array contains duplicate keys?
Duplicate keys will overwrite earlier entries in the resulting object. Ensure unique keys or handle duplicates before transformation.
Marcel Lehmann
Microsoft MVP