How to handle Array values to avoid data duplication in Bold BI data sources

When connecting to a Web API data source in Bold BI, it’s important to understand how array values are treated and how to format the data to avoid duplication.

Array Values in Bold BI

In Bold BI, array values are treated as data rows and will be multiplied with the other rows within the JSON/XML response/file as the data is flattened to a tabular format. This can result in data duplication and an increased number of rows.

For example, consider a JSON file with the following structure:

• Array in “CurrentValue” field: 1
• Arrays in “OutliersValue” field: 3
• Arrays in “values” field: 744

When flattened in Bold BI, the table will have 744 * 3 * 1 = 2232 rows.

Avoiding Data Duplication

To avoid data duplication, you can remove the unwanted Array fields from the preview window in Bold BI. By doing this, only the selected Arrays will be considered for extraction and will be flattened accordingly.

By understanding how Bold BI treats array values and properly formatting your data, you can ensure that your data is accurately represented in your dashboards.