How can I access a JavaScript object which has spaces in the object's key?

Question

I have a JavaScript object that looks something like this:

var myTextOptions = {
  'cartoon': {
     comic: 'Calvin & Hobbes',
     published: '1993'
  },
  'character names': {
    kid: 'Calvin',
    tiger: 'Hobbes'
  }
}

I can access the properties of cartoon easily using myTextOptions.cartoon.comic or whatever. However, I haven't been able to get the syntax right for accessing kid. I've tried the following with no luck:

myTextOptions.character names.kid
myTextOptions."character names".kid
myTextOptions.character\ names.kid
myTextOptions.'character names'.kid
myTextOptions.["character names"].kid
myTextOptions.character%20names.kid

more... When I type myTextOptions.character%20n.kid returns 'NaN'. The last property name (kid) doen't matter, should be any other. I'm using FireFox Quantum 8.3.0esr (64-bits) on Debian 9 — Daniel Bandeira, May 27 '20 at 13:09
In Google Chrome, if you go to inspect element and then hover over the json file data sets, each individual data set will have a tooltip appear showing it's path and it also gives you the option to copy the path into your clipboard. Just an FYI. — Simon Suh, Jul 15 '19 at 13:29

score 299 · Accepted Answer · edited Aug 10 '16 at 18:08

299

Use ECMAscripts "bracket notation":

myTextOptions[ 'character names' ].kid;

You can use that notation either way, reading & writting.

For more information read out here:

https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Guide/Working_with_Objects

edited Aug 10 '16 at 18:08

Pardeep Jain

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answered Nov 29 '11 at 21:29

jAndy

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4

julio mentions in the OP that he'd already tried using `myTextOptions.["character names"].kid` - for completeness to this question, I was wondering why that didn't work? – James_F Feb 06 '17 at 09:52
10

@James_F Because he also used the `dot notation` simultaneously. There must only be one accessor directive. – jAndy Feb 07 '17 at 01:06
2

oh, yes, sorry - was looking so hard I didn't see the extra dot before the bracket! - thanks – James_F Feb 07 '17 at 09:15
Does somebody know if it is a good or bad practice use spaces in object keys? – Juan P. Ortiz Mar 19 '19 at 07:07
2

@JuanP.Ortiz, This is not a good practice if you are using typescript, you will lose typescript compile check. – Rosdi Kasim Mar 25 '19 at 08:21
1

@RosdiKasim -- to add, one can use [key: type]: any in typescript. i.e. original key "My Id" which is a string so, can declare "[My_Id: string]: any" in interface; – Pramod Mali Mar 02 '20 at 09:53

Ahmad Awais · Answer 2 · 2018-08-12T06:31:44.983

Properties of JavaScript objects can also be accessed or set using a bracket notation (for more details see property accessors). Objects are sometimes called associative arrays since each property is associated with a string value that can be used to access it. So, for example, you could access the properties of the myCar object as follows:

myCar['make'] = 'Ford';
myCar['model'] = 'Mustang';
myCar['year'] = 1969;

For more, read on at Working with JS Objects.

So in your case it's myTextOptions['character names'].kid;

score 5 · Answer 3 · answered Aug 31 '18 at 10:35

5

We can also do this by -

myTextOptions[ 'character names' ]['kid'];

This is useful when we have consecutive keys which consist of space.

answered Aug 31 '18 at 10:35

Shubham AK

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score 3 · Answer 4 · edited Jun 18 '20 at 11:05

Let me share my solution here I am using VueJs with type script.

I got following json to parse and display in UI

 {
    "Brand": "MAMA",
    "Variety": "Instant Noodles Coconut Milk Flavour",
    "Style": "Pack",
    "Country": "Myanmar",
    "Stars": 5,
    "Top Ten": "2016 #10"
  },

I have created the following model interfere in Typescript

export interface Resto {
    Brand: string;
    Variety: string;
    Style: string;
    Country: string;
    Stars: any;
    Top_Ten: string;
    }

I have called the API as:

   public async getListOfRestos() {
    return (await fetch(
      `http://starlord.hackerearth.com/TopRamen`,
      {
        method: "get",
        credentials: "include",
        headers: {
          "Content-Type": "application/json",
        },
        body: undefined
      }
    )) as IFetchResponse<Resto[]>;
  }

Used in JSX like:

 <div class="parent" v-for="(x,i) in listOfRestos" :key="i">
      <div>{{x.Brand}}</div>
      <div>{{x.Variety}}</div>
      <div>{{x.Style}}</div>
      <div>{{x.Country}}</div>
      <div>{{x.Stars}}</div>
      <div>{{x['Top Ten']}}</div>
  </div>

Same can also work in React and Angular.

How can I access a JavaScript object which has spaces in the object's key?

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