---
title: "Create Data Pairs"
slug: "create-data-pairs"
updated: 2025-06-18T16:02:26Z
published: 2025-06-18T16:02:26Z
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://documentation.decisions.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create Data Pairs

## Overview

**Data Pairs,**also known as****"attribute-value pairs", "Key-Value" pairs, or"Name-value" pairs, are a set of two linked data items. In the "Name-Value" pair, the "Value" is a generic object. This object could be a String, Number, Date, Composite Object, etc. **"**Name**"**is the identifier. It is either the data that is identified or a pointer to the location of that data. Data Pairs are used when users are either working with generic objects or do not know what the schema is going to be used during runtime. Data Pairs are useful for any time users need a list that has associated values but no Database related connection such as, extension_id/entity_folder_id (string + value). Data pairs are not DB stored. This tutorial explains how to create Data Pairs in Decisions.

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## Example

Alternative Example: Lookup list ExampleNavigate to [Lookup list](https://documentation.decisions.com/v9/docs/lookup-list-overview) to view how Data pairs are used for Lookup lists.

1. In a **Designer Project**, create a Flow via the **CREATE FLOW** button.
2. Under the top Action bar, select the **SETUP INPUT DATA** button, click **DEFINE**, then define the **Input Data**.
3. Create two **String**Inputs, one called Age, and one PersonName.
4. **Save**the Input Data, then close it via the **X**button.  
![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-18_11h37_07.png)
5. Attach a **Create Data** step from the **Toolbox**tab on the left, to the **Done**path of the Start step.
6. With the step selected, click**SHOW EDITOR** in the Properties tab to add the variables.
7. Provide a **Name** and search for and select **DataPair [DecisionsFramework.ServiceLayer.Services.ContextData]**from the Type selector.
8. The example below makes a **Data Pair List**(check the **"Is List"** checkbox to make it a List).![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-18_11h38_11.png)
9. Under Input, click**Edit**to map in values. Select Build Array to build out each Data Pair in the list.
10. Under each **Item**, use a Build Data mapping to expose the each part of the Data Pair.
11. For the **Name** fields, use**Constants**and input**"Name"**and**"Age".**
12. On the**Output Value**fields**, Select Form Flow**map in the**Star**t step values to their respective fields.
13. **CLOSE**the Data Definitions window to save changes and return to the Flow Designer.![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-18_11h41_10.png)
14. Connect the Done path from the Create Data step to the End step. **Save**the Flow, then close (**X**) if desired.

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## Debug

1. From the Flow Designer, Run the Debugger via the Debug link in the top Action bar.
2. Under New Sessions, provide the Inputs then select Run Capturing All.
3. On the Create Data step, right-click and select "Output" to read the output Data Pair. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/ezgif.com-crop.gif)

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## Data Pair Steps

As an alternative to the Create Data step, In a **Flow Designer**, users can find various steps pertaining to creating Data Pairs under the **Toolbox** in the******Data>Data Pair**Folder.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-18_11h42_45.png)

Below is a table that provides information on each of the default Create steps for Data Pairs. These steps will create single Data Pairs and not a list, like the first method discussed above.

| **Step Name** | **Description** | **Inputs** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Create Logical Data Pair | This step creates a data pair that uses a **boolean**value type. | - Name - Value {boolean} - Example output: {Is New Patient? : True} |
| Create Number Data Pair | This step creates a data pair that uses a **number** as the value type. | - Name - Value {decimal} - Example output: {Age : 26} |
| Create Object Data Pair | This step creates a data pair that uses the Object as the value type. An object data type can box up any datatype (user-defined, String, decimal, Boolean, etc) | - Name - Value {object} - Example output: in this example, the object is a user-defined datatype, **"patient information",**which contains multiple fields. (name, diagnosis, treatment, etc.) - {Patient: Name~Jane Doe, Diagnosis~ Headache, Treatment~ Need rest,} |
| Create String Data Pair | This step creates a data pair that uses a **string** as the value type. | - Name - Value {string} - Example output: {Gender : Female} |