Extract Data

Extract Data is a handy tool in Nappai that lets you pull out only the pieces of information you need from a larger data set. By specifying a list of keys, the component returns a new Data object that contains just those key‑value pairs, making it easier to focus on the relevant data in your workflow.

How it Works

When you feed a Data object (or a Message that contains data) into Extract Data, the component looks at the list of keys you provide. It then scans the input data and keeps only the entries that match those keys. If a key ends with an asterisk (*), the component treats it as a wildcard and keeps any key that starts with the preceding text. The result is a fresh Data object that contains only the selected information, ready to be passed on to the next step in your automation.

Inputs

Data: Data object to filter.
Extract keys: List of keys to extract. You can enter multiple keys, one per line, or use a wildcard (e.g., user_*) to capture several related keys.

Outputs

Extracted Data: A new Data object that contains only the keys you requested. This output can be used as input for other components, stored, or displayed in your dashboard.

Usage Example

Add the Extract Data component to your workflow.
Connect a Data source (e.g., a previous component that outputs a Data object) to the Data input.
In the Extract keys field, type the keys you want to keep, one per line:
```
name
email
address_*
```
The component will output a Data object that includes name, email, and any keys that start with address_ (e.g., address_street, address_city).
Connect the Extracted Data output to the next component in your flow, such as a data storage or notification component.

Data – Create or modify Data objects.
Message – Wrap text and data together for messaging workflows.
Filter Data – Exclude specific keys or values from a Data object.

Tips and Best Practices

Use wildcards (*) sparingly to avoid unintentionally capturing too many keys.
Keep the list of keys short and specific to reduce processing time and improve clarity.
Test the component with a sample Data object to confirm that the correct keys are extracted before deploying to production.

Security Considerations

The Extract Data component processes data locally within the Nappai environment and does not send information outside your system. However, always ensure that sensitive data is handled according to your organization’s privacy policies and that any downstream components that receive the extracted data also comply with security best practices.