Creating hash array in Google Apps Script

Question

I\'ve been trying to work with Trello and the Google Apps Script this week. I am trying to create an array of hashes that I can then use to load the spreadsheet. Google apps s

Answer 1

I know this is an old post / question, but i would like to update my answer since the original anwer (1st answer) is misleading. I was myself looking for how to return associative arrays back to a cell in the spreadsheet, but alas.. "YOU CANNOT". Google spreadsheet MUST want an numerically indexed array or an object. Otherwise it returns "#ERROR".

Here are the steps to replicate the issue.

function testMap() {
  var map = {};
  map["name1"] = "value1";
  map["name2"] = "value2";
  return map

Formula in your cell: =testMap()
Value in your cell: Thinking... #ERROR

Solution (rather a workaround)

1: Transfer your objects from your associative array into a numerically indexed array using for-each type loop.

var temp = new Array();
for (var i in map) {
    temp.push([i,map[i]])
    // optionally use activeSheet.getRange(X:X).setValue([i,map[i]])) function here.
   // set values will not work in cell functions. To use it via cell functions, rerun / trigger the functions using an on_edit event. 
}

If you used a temp like numerically indexed array, you can return "temp" back to the calling cell.