We’re excited to announce that a UX update for Data Mapper in Azure Logic Apps is now in Public Preview! We have continuously improved Data Mapper, which is already generally available (GA), based on customer feedback. Last year, we conducted a private preview to assess the improvements in the new user experience and confirm that we are on the right track in simplifying complex data transformations, including EDI schemas. With the insights gained, we made significant UI enhancements and added features to streamline the mapping process.
Feedback
We value your feedback to make the Data Mapper even better. Please share your thoughts, suggestions, and overall experience with us through our feedback form.
How feedback shaped the Public Preview
Throughout the evolution of Data Mapper, we gathered valuable feedback from customers and partners. Key themes that emerged include:
- Reliability: Ensuring the Data Mapper can handle large schemas and complex transformation logic, including functions.
- Error handling: Providing real-time validation by allowing users to test payloads and catch errors while authoring maps.
- Looping: Clearly indicating when repeating nodes are mapped and ensuring complex objects are properly represented
- Drag & drop enhancements: Improving how connections between nodes are created for better usability.
- Deserialization & namespace honoring: Ensuring XML deserialization correctly loads mappings without data loss, preserving namespace integrity for seamless schema validation.
We’ve incorporated these suggestions into the public preview, ensuring a more refined and user-friendly experience.
What’s new in the Data Mapper UX?
1. Easier navigation
- Docked schema panels keep you oriented within the data map.
- Easily search for specific nodes to streamline mapping.
2. Side-by-side function panel
- Search and use 100+ built-in functions, including mainly:
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- Collection functions (for repeating elements)
- String manipulations
- Mathematical operations
- Conditional logic
3. Automatic looping for repeating nodes
- When mapping repeating nodes, a new loop connection is automatically added on the immediate parent nodes at source and destination. Repeating parent nodes are denoted by "A1, A2" notation on hover.
- Note: If the child node in the source has a deeper nesting level than in the destination, you must manually map the connection from the repeating source node to the destination to ensure proper data transformation.
4. Real-time error detection
- On saving the map, instantly view warnings and errors for missing mappings or incorrect configurations
5. Test Your Map Instantly
- Preview the output before running your workflow.
How to set up and test out the new Data Mapper experience
- Enable the Preview: Go to your Azure Logic App (Standard) extension -> Settings -> Data Mapper. Select “Version ~2” to try out the new user experience.
- Light theme: Enable "Light Theme" in VS Code before creating a new data map. Dark Theme is not supported, but is on the roadmap and will be prioritized soon.
- Create a New Data Map: Navigate to the Azure tab on the left-hand panel of your VS Code. Select “Create New Data Map” and name it. Once loaded, select the schemas for source and destination.
- Upload schemas: Upload your source and destination schemas before creating the map (eg .xsd or .json files).
Limitations
While the new Data Mapper UX brings significant improvements, a few limitations remain:
- Filter function: The filter function correctly processes numeric conditions when enclosed in quotes (e.g., ">= 10"), but does not behave consistently for string comparisons (e.g., checking if item name = "Pen"). We are actively working on refining this behavior.
- Custom Functions: Support for custom functions is coming in the next refresh to enhance flexibility in data mapping.
- Usability enhancements: Improved tooltips, function labels, error messages and other UX refinements are on the way to provide clearer guidance and a smoother mapping experience, especially for complex transformations.
Future investments
The product is going to continue getting better and we should be adding more features very soon! Some immediate investments include:
- Enhanced test map experience: Making it easier to validate mappings during development.
- Panel resizing: Allowing users to have flexibility in viewing larger schemas and functions when multiple panels are expanded.
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