Working With JSON Files

    The JSON format is fully supported in Slingshot as your visualizations can consume data from any JSON file.

    After reading your JSON file format, you will be presented you with possible data structures you may want to use. In addition, there is an Advanced Selection mode where you can choose a custom data structure.

    JSON Format Information

    JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a self-describing lightweight format for storing and exchanging data.

    Format highlights:

    • JSON, as a format, can be used to represent different structures of data.

    • Data is always arranged as name/value pairs, separated by commas.

    • Data types' notation includes: curly braces {} for objects and square brackets [] for arrays.

    Loading a JSON file

    Follow these steps to create a new visualization that consumes data from your JSON file:

    1. Make your file available.

      Upload the JSON file to one of your storage providers, so you can later access it from Slingshot. You can choose between the following available options: Dropbox, OneDrive, Box, Google Drive, and SharePoint.

    2. Locate your file.

      2.1. Choose the storage provider with the file and provide your login credentials.

      2.2. Navigate the provider and select your JSON file.

      A JSON file located in a cloud data source

      2.3 Click/tap on Add Data Source in order to choose a location for it and save it. You can edit the details of the file, if needed.

      Dialog where you can edit the details of your file

    3. Choose the data structure you want.

      Once you've added the file to your list of data sources, you will be presented with a list of possible data structures for you to choose from.

      List of Json File tables

      If the list does not include the data structure you want, use the Advanced Selection mode where you can choose a custom data structure.

    4. Click/tap on Select Data.

      Once you selected the data structure, click/tap on the Select Data button to continue to the Visualization Editor. Here you can shape your dashboard.

      Json Files Visualizations Editor

    Advanced Selection Mode

    JSON files can be used to represent different data structures. Because of this, Slingshot allows you to choose a custom data structure for you to work with. After selecting the data columns you want to work with, you can build your visualization upon them. To do that, you need to:

    1. Open the Advanced Selection mode.

      Click/tap on + Table in order to get access to the Advanced Selection screen.

      Table option for advanced selection in the data source details dialog for json

    2. Navigate the JSON Tree.

      Expand the nodes and select the deepest level where you want to select the data from.

      Json Files Navigate Tree

    3. Select the tree elements and fields you want.

      You need to select a tree element (object [ ] or array { }) to enable child selection.
      Json Files Unselect Elements After selecting one or more children, you can unselect the parent elements (Objects and Arrays) to leave them out of your data structure.

    4. (Optional) Format text fields to Date/Time or Number.

      When selecting a field, Slingshot reads its values, autodetects the optimal format, and presents a dialog where you can choose what to do.

      Json Files Format Fields

    5. Click/tap on Create Table.

      Once you've selected your custom data structure, click/tap on Create Table to continue to the Visualization Editor.

      Json Files Format Fields