Zapier "Run Python Code" Error - Issue parsing dictionary

Question

Hi everyone! I'm just learning how to write python, just started using Zapier and definitely see the opportunities for this being an amazing tool!

I am getting stuck on the following through.

I have the following data input:

countries = [
    {"Country_Num": 1, "Country_Name": "United States"},
    {"Country_Num": 2, "Country_Name": "United Kingdom"},
    {"Country_Num": 3, "Country_Name": "Canada"},
    {"Country_Num": 4, "Country_Name": "Germany"},
    {"Country_Num": 5, "Country_Name": "France"},
    {"Country_Num": 6, "Country_Name": "Australia"},
    {"Country_Num": 7, "Country_Name": "Japan"},
    {"Country_Num": 8, "Country_Name": "Brazil"},
    {"Country_Num": 9, "Country_Name": "India"},
    {"Country_Num": 10, "Country_Name": "South Africa"}
]

And I'm trying to turn this data into something useable in Zapier, so that I can add that data into a GoogleSheet.

Therefore, I'm using the Zapier step called "Run Python in Code by Zapier" and it allows me assign the input data above as "countries"

Now, I'm trying to use code to turn the data into two outputs that I can use using the following script:

# Accessing the input data which is provided as 'countries'
countries_data = input_data['countries']

# Initializing lists to hold country numbers and names
country_nums = []
country_names = []

# Iterating over each country in the input data
for country in countries_data:
    # Appending the country number and name to their respective lists
    country_nums.append(country["Country_Nums"])
    country_names.append(country["Country_Names"])

# Preparing the output to include both lists
output = {'Country_Nums': country_nums, 'Country_Names': country_names}

return output

However, whenever I try to test the code, I get the following error:

Failed to create a run python in Code by Zapier
Your code had an error! Traceback (most recent call last): File "<string>", line 18, in the_function TypeError: string indices must be integers, not 'str'

Any help on this would be appreciated! Could this be because Zapier takes the data input as a string?

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Best answer by luniko 14 April 2024, 19:38

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luniko · Accepted Answer

I was able to figure it out.The issue was the fact that regardless of what is put in as the input data, it comes in as its own value as a string in its own dictionary.So my original data goes from this:countries = [    {"Country_Num": 1, "Country_Name": "United States"},    {"Country_Num": 2, "Country_Name": "United Kingdom"},    {"Country_Num": 3, "Country_Name": "Canada"},    {"Country_Num": 4, "Country_Name": "Germany"},    {"Country_Num": 5, "Country_Name": "France"}]To being interpreted as this:{"countries": "countries = [    {"Country_Num": 1, "Country_Name": "United States"},    {"Country_Num": 2, "Country_Name": "United Kingdom"},    {"Country_Num": 3, "Country_Name": "Canada"},    {"Country_Num": 4, "Country_Name": "Germany"},    {"Country_Num": 5, "Country_Name": "France"}]"}Therefore, I had to get ChatGPT to change the code to the following:import json# Extract the JSON-like part from the stringcountries_str = input_data['countries'].split("countries = ")[1].strip()# Replace single quotes with double quotes to form valid JSONcountries_str = countries_str.replace("'", '"')# Remove newline and extra spacescountries_str = "".join(countries_str.split())# Parse the JSON string into a Python listcountries_data = json.loads(countries_str)# Initialize lists to hold country numbers and namescountry_nums = []country_names = []# Iterate over each country in the input datafor country in countries_data:    # Append the country number and name to their respective lists    country_nums.append(country["Country_Num"])    country_names.append(country["Country_Name"])# Prepare the output to include both listsoutput = {'Country_Num': country_nums, 'Country_Name': country_names}return outputThis fixed it.

Troy Tessalone · Answer

Hi @lunikoFor us to have full context, post screenshots with how your Zap Code step is configured.One way to troubleshoot your code is to ask ChatGPT to check/fix based on the error.The error you're encountering is because of a typo in accessing the keys of the country dictionary. You've used "Country_Nums" and "Country_Names", but the correct keys are "Country_Num" and "Country_Name". Here's the corrected version of your code: