# Get undefined error when adding new object to msg.payload

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/get-undefined-error-when-adding-new-object-to-msg-payload/79676>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [10 July 2023 04:32 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/get-undefined-error-when-adding-new-object-to-msg-payload/79676 "2023-07-10T04:32:15Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 8\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![k5map](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/k5map/32/47681_2.png) [@k5map](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/k5map)\
**Post date:** [10 July 2023 04:32 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/get-undefined-error-when-adding-new-object-to-msg-payload/79676/1 "2023-07-10T04:32:15Z")

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I need a 2nd set of eyes because I'm at a loss to figure out this problem...

In a Function node, I am attempting to run this command:

msg.payload.lat = 30.05;

When I execute the flow, I get the error:  
TypeError: Cannot set properties of undefined (setting 'lat')

Since both msg and payload are valid why am I not able to add a new object to msg.payload?

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**Author:** ![bakman2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/bakman2/32/6207_2.png) [@bakman2](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/bakman2)\
**Post date:** [10 July 2023 05:11 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/get-undefined-error-when-adding-new-object-to-msg-payload/79676/2 "2023-07-10T05:11:35Z")

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You are trying to set a `lat` property on "something" - this "something" has a prerequisite: it has to be an object before you can assign a property.

`msg.payload = 'blabla'` \< not an object  
`msg.payload.lat = 30.50` = error.

`msg.payload = {}` \< is an object  
`msg.payload.lat = 30.50` = ok

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![k5map](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/k5map/32/47681_2.png) [@k5map](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/k5map)\
**Post date:** [10 July 2023 05:24 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/get-undefined-error-when-adding-new-object-to-msg-payload/79676/3 "2023-07-10T05:24:03Z")

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Forgot to include that this is the first line in my Function:

msg.payload = {};

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![bakman2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/bakman2/32/6207_2.png) [@bakman2](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/bakman2)\
**Post date:** [10 July 2023 05:25 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/get-undefined-error-when-adding-new-object-to-msg-payload/79676/4 "2023-07-10T05:25:45Z")

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Post your complete function as we can only guess what is happening.

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**Author:** ![k5map](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/k5map/32/47681_2.png) [@k5map](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/k5map)\
**Post date:** [10 July 2023 05:40 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/get-undefined-error-when-adding-new-object-to-msg-payload/79676/5 "2023-07-10T05:40:35Z")

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Here is a copy of my code:

```auto
msg.payload = {};
msg.payload.name = "K5WH-117";
msg.paylaod.lat = 30.05;
msg.payload.lon = -95.53;
return msg;

```

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![bakman2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/bakman2/32/6207_2.png) [@bakman2](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/bakman2)\
**Post date:** [10 July 2023 05:51 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/get-undefined-error-when-adding-new-object-to-msg-payload/79676/6 "2023-07-10T05:51:29Z")

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> [@k5map](#):
>
> `msg.paylaod.lat = 30.05;`

Check typo.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![k5map](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/k5map/32/47681_2.png) [@k5map](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/k5map)\
**Post date:** [10 July 2023 05:52 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/get-undefined-error-when-adding-new-object-to-msg-payload/79676/7 "2023-07-10T05:52:42Z")

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(wiping the egg from my face)... well SON OF A ... this is why I needed a 2nd set of eyes. Thank You!

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**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/1X/d073cd938eafa2e558d7c2cd59003b3ef4963033.png) [@system](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/system)\
**Post date:** [24 July 2023 05:53 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/get-undefined-error-when-adding-new-object-to-msg-payload/79676/8 "2023-07-24T05:53:17Z")

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