Xano - Arrays

Arrays are a powerful and flexible data structure in Xano, allowing you to store and manipulate collections of data. In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of working with arrays in Xano, covering everything from creating and modifying arrays to performing advanced operations using helper functions.

Creating an Array

Let's start by creating a new array variable in Xano:

1. In your function stack, go to "Data Manipulation" and select "Create Variable."
2. Name your variable (e.g., `var1`) and choose the data type as "Array."
3. Click "Save" to create the array.

Adding Elements to an Array

Once you have an array, you can add elements to the beginning or end of it using the "Arrays" operations in Xano:

1. Go to "Data Manipulation" > "Arrays" > "Add to Beginning of Array."
2. Select your array variable (e.g., `var1`) and enter the value(s) you want to add to the beginning of the array (e.g., `"abc"`).
3. Click "Save."
4. To add elements to the end of the array, follow the same steps but choose "Add to End of Array" instead.

Removing Elements from an Array

Removing elements from an array is just as easy:

1. Go to "Data Manipulation" > "Arrays" > "Remove from Beginning of Array" or "Remove from End of Array."
2. Select your array variable (e.g., `var1`).
3. Click "Save."

Merging Arrays

Xano allows you to merge multiple arrays or combine an array with additional elements using the "Merge" operation:

1. Go to "Data Manipulation" > "Arrays" > "Merge."
2. Select your existing array variable (e.g., `var1`).
3. Click "Add Filter" and choose the "Array" filter type.
4. Select the desired operation (e.g., "Push" to add elements to the end of the array).
5. Enter the value(s) you want to merge with the existing array.
6. Repeat steps 3-5 if you want to perform additional merge operations.
7. Click "Save."

Using Helper Functions

Xano provides a set of powerful helper functions for working with arrays. These functions allow you to find, get, or count specific elements within an array based on custom conditions:

1. Go to "Data Manipulation" > "Arrays" and choose the desired helper function (e.g., "Find All Elements").
2. Select your array variable from the dropdown.
3. Click the pencil icon to open the expression builder.
4. Define your condition using the `$this` variable, which represents each element iteration of the array.
5. Click "Save" and provide a name for the new variable that will store the result.
6. Add the new variable to your response to see the filtered array.

Remember, all helper functions follow the same framework, allowing you to leverage the expression builder to define custom conditions based on your specific requirements.

By mastering arrays in Xano, you'll unlock a wide range of possibilities for building powerful applications without writing a single line of code. Whether you're a no-code enthusiast, citizen developer, or experienced programmer, Xano's intuitive interface and robust array manipulation capabilities will streamline your development process and accelerate your project delivery.