How to Dynamically Access JSON Object Values in PowerShell Using GUI Controls

Learn how to extract and display JSON object values in PowerShell using a dropdown menu and a button in a simple GUI application.
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How to Dynamically Access JSON Object Values in PowerShell Using GUI Controls

Working with JSON data is a common task in many automated scripts and applications, especially when using PowerShell for system administration and management. In this guide, we’ll tackle an interesting problem: how to retrieve and display specific values from a JSON object using a dropdown menu in a graphical user interface (GUI). We’ll explore how to build a simple GUI application to select an object from the dropdown and retrieve values accordingly.

The JSON File

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

The Objective

Our goal is to create a dropdown list populated with the object names from the JSON file. Then, upon selecting an object and clicking a button, we want to retrieve and display the corresponding values for CLRDIR and CLREXE.

Building the GUI

Reading the JSON File

The first step is to read the JSON file and convert it into a usable format within PowerShell. To achieve this, we’ll use the following command:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This command reads the JSON file's content and converts it into a PowerShell object.

Creating the Dropdown List

Next, we need to create a dropdown list that will display the object names. The following code snippet sets up the dropdown and populates it:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This code creates a new dropdown menu, adds it to the form, and populates it with object names extracted from the JSON data.

Retrieve Values from the Selected Object

To retrieve the values of CLRDIR and CLREXE upon selection, you will need to register an OnClick event handler for the button in your GUI. Here’s how you can accomplish this:

Capture the selected item from the dropdown.

Access the corresponding properties in the JSON object.

Display the values in a textbox or any suitable control.

The event handler may look like this:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Putting It All Together

Once the dropdown and button are properly set up, you'll have a functional GUI that allows users to select an object and view the specified properties directly in your PowerShell application.

Conclusion

By following the steps outlined in this post, you now have a solid understanding of how to read JSON data and use it in a PowerShell GUI application. This knowledge can enhance your automation scripts and make them more user-friendly.

If you found this guide helpful or have any questions, feel free to drop a comment below. Happy scripting!