Trouble Creating JSON Array in Zapier Webhooks

Other Questions Zapier
1

I’m struggling to make Zapier webhooks create a proper JSON array. Right now, my output looks like this:

{
  "attachments": 
      {
      "color": "danger", 
      "text": "example", 
      "fallback": "Fallback text here", 
      "title": "Example Title"
      }
}

But I need it to be a true array with square brackets, like this:

{
    "attachments": [
    {
        "color": "danger",
        "fallback": "Fallback text here", 
        "title": "Example Title",
        "text":"example"
    }
    ]
}

I’ve tried messing with the webhook settings but can’t get it right. Any ideas on how to make Zapier output the correct array format? This is driving me crazy!

2

hey grace, i’ve been there! zapier can be tricky with arrays. have u tried using the ‘utilities’ step to format ur json? u can use the ‘create array from text’ action to wrap ur attachment in . might solve ur issue. good luck!

3

I encountered a similar issue with Zapier webhooks. One effective solution is to use the ‘Code by Zapier’ step. In this step, you can write a small JavaScript function to properly format your JSON output. Here’s a basic example:

output = {
  attachments: [
    {
      color: inputData.color,
      text: inputData.text,
      fallback: inputData.fallback,
      title: inputData.title
    }
  ]
};

return output;

This approach gives you full control over the structure of your JSON. Make sure to map your input fields correctly, and Zapier will output the JSON in the desired array format. It’s a bit more work, but it’s quite reliable for complex JSON structures.

4

I’ve dealt with this exact issue in Zapier before. What worked for me was using the ‘Format’ action in the Formatter by Zapier step. You can set it to ‘Array’ and then input your attachment data. This automatically wraps everything in square brackets, giving you that proper JSON array structure.

Another trick is to use the ‘Text’ action in Formatter, set it to ‘Transform to JSON’, and manually input your data with the correct structure. It’s a bit more hands-on, but it gives you precise control over the output.

If those don’t work, you might need to resort to custom code like josephk suggested. But try these simpler methods first - they often do the trick without diving into JavaScript.