Plain data node
The Plain data node lets you quickly bring in data by simply copying and pasting it — no need for databases or APIs. Just paste your JSON, XML, CSV, or plain text, and Datastripes will help turn it into a clean, usable dataset.
What can it do?
- Accept data in common formats like JSON, XML, CSV, or plain text tables.
- Automatically check your data for errors and fix common issues.
- Convert your pasted data into structured tables ready for analysis.
- Make it super easy to get data from spreadsheets, reports, or quick exports.
How to use it
- Choose the Plain data node in your flow.
- Paste your data directly into the input box.
- Datastripes will validate the format and parse it.
- If there are errors, you’ll see friendly messages to help you fix them.
- Once valid, your data becomes a dataset you can connect to other nodes.
Supported formats
| Format | What it looks like | Example snippet |
|---|---|---|
| JSON | Data as objects or arrays | [{"name": "Alice", "age": 30}, {"name": "Bob", "age": 25}] |
| XML | Data wrapped in tags | <users><user><name>Alice</name><age>30</age></user></users> |
| CSV | Comma-separated rows/columns | name,age\nAlice,30\nBob,25 |
| Text | Tabular text with separators | name\tage\nAlice\t30\nBob\t25 |
Example
Say you have this CSV data copied from a spreadsheet:
product,price,stock
Laptop,1200,10
Mouse,25,50
Keyboard,45,20
Paste it into the Plain data node, and Datastripes will turn it into a neat table ready for your flow.
Tips for smooth pasting
- Make sure your data has consistent columns and rows.
- Use commas, tabs, or other common separators in CSV or text tables.
- For JSON and XML, ensure your data is well-formed (proper brackets and tags).
- If validation errors pop up, check for missing commas, quotes, or mismatched tags.
Why use the Plain data node?
- Perfect for quick tests or small datasets without needing a full database.
- Great for sharing data snippets from emails, reports, or spreadsheets.
- Saves time by skipping manual data formatting or imports.
Troubleshooting
If your data doesn’t load:
- Double-check the format matches the type you selected or expected.
- Look for errors like missing commas, unclosed tags, or inconsistent columns.
- Try reformatting your data or using a different format if possible.
With the Plain data node, adding your data is as simple as copy-paste — no fuss, no setup. Just paste, validate, and go!