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Clear DataTable

Clears all rows from a DataTable while preserving its column structure. This node is useful when you need to reset a table's data without recreating the entire table structure.

Common Properties​

  • Name - The custom name of the node.
  • Color - The custom color of the node.
  • Delay Before (sec) - Waits in seconds before executing the node.
  • Delay After (sec) - Waits in seconds after executing node.
  • Continue On Error - Automation will continue regardless of any error. The default value is false.
info

If the ContinueOnError property is true, no error is caught when the project is executed, even if a Catch node is used.

Input​

  • Table - DataTable to clear all rows from

Output​

  • Table - DataTable with all rows cleared, but columns preserved

Behavior​

  • All rows in the table are removed
  • Column structure remains intact (column names and count unchanged)
  • The table becomes empty (0 rows)
  • Original table object is modified and returned

Example Usage​

Resetting a Table for Reuse​

// Table has 100 rows with columns: ["ID", "Name", "Status"]

// Clear the table
// Result: Table with 0 rows, columns: ["ID", "Name", "Status"]

// Table structure is preserved and ready to receive new data

Clearing Data Before Processing​

// Initialize a results table
var resultsTable = /* Create DataTable with columns */;

// Add some initial data
// ... Add Row nodes ...

// Before the next processing cycle, clear the table
// Clear DataTable node
// Result: Empty table ready for new batch of results

Conditional Data Reset​

// Check if table needs to be reset
var needsReset = /* some condition */;

if (needsReset) {
    // Clear all data while keeping structure
    // Clear DataTable node processes this

    // Populate with fresh data
    // ... Add Row nodes ...
}

Reusing Tables in Loops​

// Create a temporary table for processing
var tempTable = /* Create DataTable */;

// Process multiple data batches
for (var batch = 0; batch < batches.length; batch++) {
    // Clear previous batch data
    // Clear DataTable node

    // Process current batch
    for (var i = 0; i < batches[batch].length; i++) {
        // Add Row to tempTable
    }

    // Do something with tempTable
    // Export, analyze, etc.
}

Tips​

  • Use this node when you want to reuse a table structure without recreating it
  • More efficient than creating a new table when the column structure remains the same
  • Useful in loops where you process data in batches
  • The column structure (names and order) is completely preserved
  • All row data is removed - this operation cannot be undone
  • Consider backing up important data before clearing

Common Errors​

Empty Table Error​

Error: Table cannot be empty. Please provide a valid DataTable.

Solution: Ensure you're passing a valid DataTable object from a previous node.

// Wrong - table is null or undefined
var table = null;

// Correct
var table = /* Valid DataTable from Create DataTable or other source */;

Clearing an Already Empty Table​

Clearing an already empty table is not an error - it simply results in the same empty table. This is safe to do.

// Table with 0 rows
// Clear DataTable
// Result: Table with 0 rows (no change, no error)

Difference from Create DataTable​

  • Clear DataTable: Removes rows from existing table, keeps columns

    • Input: Existing table with data
    • Output: Same table structure, no rows

  • Create DataTable: Creates brand new table structure

    • Input: Column names
    • Output: New empty table

Use Clear DataTable when you want to preserve the table instance and just remove data. Use Create DataTable when you need a fresh table object.

See Also​