# JSON API or File

Connect to product analytics or dashboard endpoints that expose JSON. The plugin uses a proxy to make requests, map nested arrays, and convert them into chart-ready series.

### When to use it

* You have an HTTP endpoint returning JSON data.
* You need to authenticate with a bearer token or custom headers.
* Your data lives in nested arrays and you want to pick which keys become categories and series.

### Request setup

1. Switch to **Data Source → JSON** and choose the `API` mode.
2. Enter the **URL** and choose the HTTP **Method** (`GET` or `POST`).
3. If authentication is needed:
   * `Bearer` — paste the token; the plugin adds the header.
   * `Custom headers` — paste a JSON object (e.g. `{ "X-API-Key": "123" }`).
4. Optional: add request parameters or body. Provide a JSON object.

### Selecting data

1. Click **Fetch** to send the request through the proxy.
2. After a successful response, pick the array path containing your records (e.g. `<root>`, `data.items`).
3. Choose the **Category field** (x-axis labels) and one or more **Value fields** (series). The preview updates as soon as selections are made.

### Tips

* Test the endpoint in Postman or a browser first to confirm the response shape.
* Avoid extremely large payloads—paginate on the server side if possible.

### Troubleshooting

| Error banner                             | Meaning                                     | Fix                                                                       |
| ---------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| “Request parameters must be valid JSON.” | Invalid JSON in headers/body.               | Validate with a formatter and try again.                                  |
| “Failed to fetch JSON data.”             | Network error, auth failure, or CORS block. | Check the HTTP status in the console/log banner and confirm credentials.  |
| Preview array list is empty              | Response doesn’t contain arrays of objects. | Check the array path and ensure the endpoint returns an array of records. |

### Security note

The proxy forwards your request payload and headers to `https://chart-plugin.com/proxy`. Avoid sending highly sensitive data or credentials unless you trust the endpoint owner.


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# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://help.chartplugin.com/how-to-add-your-own-data-to-your-graph/json-api-or-file.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.