# Help with how to parse this message

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/help-with-how-to-parse-this-message/31817>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [21 August 2020 10:08 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/help-with-how-to-parse-this-message/31817 "2020-08-21T10:08:24Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 2

<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:** [21 August 2020 12:14 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/help-with-how-to-parse-this-message/31817/21 "2020-08-21T12:14:33Z")

</div>

> The icon is WHITE.

Yes because your html is not correct. I would recommend to use the template node so you that you can format/read it more consistently

```auto
<font color='rgb(200,0,0)'></font>
<i class='fa fa-bullseye fa-2x'></i>

```

vs:

```auto
<font color='rgb(200,0,0)'>
   <i class='fa fa-bullseye fa-2x'></i>
</font>

```

But the reason the color is not rendering is caused by angular and its scoping.  
brb.

correct format:

```auto
<i class='fa fa-bullseye fa-2x' ng-style="{color:'rgb(200,0,0)'}"></i>

```

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Trying\_to\_learn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/trying_to_learn/32/28400_2.png) [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)\
**Post date:** [21 August 2020 12:18 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/help-with-how-to-parse-this-message/31817/22 "2020-08-21T12:18:05Z")

</div>

I tried it _both ways_  
`<font color='rgb(200,0,0)'></font> <i class='fa fa-bullseye fa-2x'></i>`

and  
`<font color='rgb(200,0,0)'> <i class='fa fa-bullseye fa-2x'></i> </font>`

Neither work.

I know. It is my _fault_... I am upset by how stupid I am in that I am not remembering things. But alas this is beyond my control. (Reasons unknown)  
I am trying to keep myself _active_ - and by that I don't mean **wasting your time**. I am trying to get things sorted out. As soon as I think I have that. I discover it is wrong.

It is not a nice feeling that every day when I get up: what I knew yesterday is now _invalid_.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Trying\_to\_learn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/trying_to_learn/32/28400_2.png) [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)\
**Post date:** [21 August 2020 12:23 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/help-with-how-to-parse-this-message/31817/23 "2020-08-21T12:23:56Z")

</div>

I see you are replying, but I think I had better post this:

Sorry, it gives an error.

 ![Screenshot from 2020-08-21 22-21-05](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/1/6/165b4ebab99a761c125b874d50d2a5fa7f486b62.png)

If I add a `,` at the end I get: `unclosed regular expression`

---

<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:** [21 August 2020 12:25 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/help-with-how-to-parse-this-message/31817/24 "2020-08-21T12:25:33Z")

</div>

There is a ezelsbruggetje (didnt know that that translated to mnemonic) to memorize the concept

```auto
<> = begin
</> = end

...

<font> = font begin 
</font> = font end

...

everything in between is formatted according to the font format.

<font color="red">
  <i class='fa fa-bullseye fa-2x'></i>
</font>

```

In this case that doesnt fly because of the framework that is used in the dashboard, which strips those inline styles.

Your error:

`{"payload":string}`

vs

`{"payload":"string"}`

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Trying\_to\_learn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/trying_to_learn/32/28400_2.png) [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)\
**Post date:** [21 August 2020 12:36 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/help-with-how-to-parse-this-message/31817/25 "2020-08-21T12:36:50Z")

</div>

Sorry..... This is really starting to make my head spin, and it isn't your fault.

From what I remember - if it is worth anything - is that `<font> <i class .... </i></font>` was ok.  
because it wraps the `<i>` part.

What I can't have is `<font>..... <i> </font></i>` That's fair enough.

What I have done (for better or worse) is I am using an `inject` node to inject the value directly and the payload is as show.  
That's not exactly true. The message is created in this node.

Once I get that working, I will then be able (I hope) to go a level up and then use the `rgbStr` which is a variable.

But I seem to be lacking the understanding of how to now get that working.

This is what is in the `function` node:

```auto
msg.device = "TABBYCAT"; // for testing

var dev = msg.device; // set this for later use.

msg = {
    "payload":<i class='fa fa-bullseye fa-2x' ng-style="{color:'rgb(200,0,0)'}"></i>
// That is copy/pasted from what you gave me.
    "device": dev
}
return msg;

```

It (Node-Red) doesn't like it.

Yes, I messed up something. It is so frustrating not being able to see it.  
And sorry for wasting your time.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/colin/32/17040_2.png) [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Post date:** [21 August 2020 12:52 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/help-with-how-to-parse-this-message/31817/26 "2020-08-21T12:52:50Z")

</div>

> [@Trying\_to\_learn](#):
>
> `"payload":<i class='fa fa-bullseye fa-2x' ng-style="{color:'rgb(200,0,0)'}"></i>`

As already suggested, the bit after the colon must be a string. You need double quotes round it, and also you need to escape the double quotes inside there using `\"`.

---

<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:** [21 August 2020 12:57 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/help-with-how-to-parse-this-message/31817/27 "2020-08-21T12:57:11Z")

</div>

Ok i put that string into a template node directly:

```auto
<i class='fa fa-bullseye fa-2x' style='color:rgb({{msg.payload.color}})'></i>

```

The payload send is like:

```auto
m = {}
m.color = "200,0,0"

return {payload:m}

```

ie.

```auto
{"payload":{"color":"200,0,0"}}

```

( i had some trouble formatting it correctly, can drop the ng-style, style works)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Trying\_to\_learn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/trying_to_learn/32/28400_2.png) [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)\
**Post date:** [21 August 2020 12:57 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/help-with-how-to-parse-this-message/31817/28 "2020-08-21T12:57:38Z")

</div>

Colin,

Thanks, but honestly. I can't resolve that.  
`"{color:'rgb(200,0,0)'}"` is a matched set of `"` and ok, that is going to be nested inside the new `"` I am about to _wrap_ this in.

But

> and also you need to escape the double quotes inside there using `\"`

I don't have a ladder tall enough to understand what that means. Sorry.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/colin/32/17040_2.png) [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Post date:** [21 August 2020 13:01 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/help-with-how-to-parse-this-message/31817/29 "2020-08-21T13:01:55Z")

</div>

> [@Trying\_to\_learn](#):
>
> `"payload":<i class='fa fa-bullseye fa-2x' ng-style="{color:'rgb(200,0,0)'}"></i>`

```auto
"payload":"<i class='fa fa-bullseye fa-2x' ng-style=\"{color:'rgb(200,0,0)'}\"></i>"

```

The `\` before the embedded quotes escapes them so they are not interpreted by javascript as string delimiters.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Trying\_to\_learn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/trying_to_learn/32/28400_2.png) [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)\
**Post date:** [21 August 2020 13:02 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/help-with-how-to-parse-this-message/31817/30 "2020-08-21T13:02:45Z")

</div>

Yeah, ok again: Thanks.

But I a missing how to get that in the `function` node.

If I put that where the other line is/was I get the same error:

`unclosed regular expression`.

And (way off topic) I am also missing something because I can not seem to get code printed here as you did in post #19 of this thread.  
How did you get that?

I thought it was 3 x "`" these guys. But it isn't.  
Or it doesn't do it when I do it. It all comes out on one line.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/colin/32/17040_2.png) [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Post date:** [21 August 2020 13:04 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/help-with-how-to-parse-this-message/31817/31 "2020-08-21T13:04:31Z")

</div>

Post the function code, you have made an error. You have escaped both the embedded double quotes I hope.

Edit, use the `</>` button. Start a new line first.

---

<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:** [21 August 2020 13:08 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/help-with-how-to-parse-this-message/31817/32 "2020-08-21T13:08:11Z")

</div>

If you want to send formatted html to a template node, you need to use `msg.template` instead

Example:

```auto
color = "200,0,0"
msg.template ="<i class='fa fa-bullseye fa-2x' style='color:rgb("+color+")'></i>"
return msg;

```

Connect it to a template node, any content will be overwritten by the msg.template.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Trying\_to\_learn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/trying_to_learn/32/28400_2.png) [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)\
**Post date:** [21 August 2020 13:08 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/help-with-how-to-parse-this-message/31817/33 "2020-08-21T13:08:58Z")

</div>

Here's the code:

```auto
[{"id":"180f4891.538f47","type":"inject","z":"a1911aa3.c45be8","name":"","topic":"","payload":"","payloadType":"date","repeat":"","crontab":"","once":false,"onceDelay":0.1,"x":570,"y":2220,"wires":[["497b5cc9.9dd91c"]]},{"id":"497b5cc9.9dd91c","type":"function","z":"a1911aa3.c45be8","name":"","func":"msg.device = \"TABBYCAT\";\n\n//var x = msg.payload.split(\",\");\n//node.warn(\"X \"+x)\n\n//var y = x[2];\n//node.warn(y);\n\nvar dev = msg.device;\n\n//var spl = msg.payload.split(\",\");\n//var rgbPart = spl[0]; //get the rgb part (element 0)\n//var idPart = spl[1]; //get the id part (element 1)\n//var rgb = spl.slice(2); //get remaining parts (elements 2 ~ the end)\n//var rgbStr = rgb.join(\",\"); // join these last three parts by comma back to a string\n\nmsg = {\n\n \"payload\":\"<i class='fa fa-bullseye fa-2x' ng-style=\\\"{color:'rgb(200,0,0)'}\\\"></i>\",\n\n\n// \"payload\":\"<i class='fa fa-bullseye fa-2x' ng-style=\"{color:'rgb(200,0,0)'}\"></i>\"\n\n// \"payload\":\"<font color='rgb(200,0,0)'><i class='fa fa-bullseye fa-2x'></i></font>\",\n \"device\": dev\n}\nreturn msg;\n\n//set the payload as required - example...\n//msg.payload = {\n// id: idPart,\n// rgb: rgb,\n// rgbStr: rgbStr\n//}\n//return msg;\n\n\n\n\n\n//node.warn(msg.colour)\n\n//return msg;","outputs":1,"noerr":0,"x":720,"y":2220,"wires":[["d4b19fd2.f4c96"]]},{"id":"d4b19fd2.f4c96","type":"switch","z":"a1911aa3.c45be8","name":"","property":"device","propertyType":"msg","rules":[{"t":"cont","v":"Marvin","vt":"str"},{"t":"cont","v":"S5","vt":"str"},{"t":"cont","v":"TABBYCAT","vt":"str"}],"checkall":"true","repair":false,"outputs":3,"x":900,"y":2180,"wires":[[],[],["cd36d859.72e13","ccf5ab11.7c97c"]]},{"id":"cd36d859.72e13","type":"debug","z":"a1911aa3.c45be8","name":"","active":true,"tosidebar":true,"console":false,"tostatus":false,"complete":"true","targetType":"full","x":1110,"y":2240,"wires":[]},{"id":"ccf5ab11.7c97c","type":"ui_text","z":"a1911aa3.c45be8","group":"ef4cdff9.3f4b4","order":0,"width":"2","height":"1","name":"","label":"S5","format":"{{msg.payload}}","layout":"row-spread","x":1110,"y":2180,"wires":[]},{"id":"ef4cdff9.3f4b4","type":"ui_group","z":"","name":"Mobile devices","tab":"325a9fd4.22bde8","order":4,"disp":true,"width":"6","collapse":false},{"id":"325a9fd4.22bde8","type":"ui_tab","z":"","name":"Big device status","icon":"mi-drag_indicator","order":2,"disabled":false,"hidden":false}]

```

This is what I see in the `debug` node:

```auto
{"payload":"<i class='fa fa-bullseye fa-2x' ng-style=\"{color:'rgb(200,0,0)'}\"></i>","device":"TABBYCAT","_msgid":"1b2205f5.e25eba"}

```

The ...... `text` node.... `WHITE`.  
Shouldn't it be `RED`?  
 ![Screenshot from 2020-08-21 23-08-26](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/2/d/2d4e17cab5e0bffdfa35af3d10522061be89f6ce.png)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/colin/32/17040_2.png) [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Post date:** [21 August 2020 13:13 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/help-with-how-to-parse-this-message/31817/34 "2020-08-21T13:13:31Z")

</div>

You said it was generating a regex error. I don't see that.  
When I said to post the function node code, I meant to copy it from the function node and paste it in using the `</>` button so I could see what was wrong.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Trying\_to\_learn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/trying_to_learn/32/28400_2.png) [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)\
**Post date:** [21 August 2020 13:14 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/help-with-how-to-parse-this-message/31817/35 "2020-08-21T13:14:33Z")

</div>

No, I said.....

> [@Trying\_to\_learn](#):
>
> `unclosed regular expression` .

Post 30. But even before then. 29, 22.....

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Trying\_to\_learn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/trying_to_learn/32/28400_2.png) [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)\
**Post date:** [21 August 2020 13:16 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/help-with-how-to-parse-this-message/31817/36 "2020-08-21T13:16:25Z")

</div>

I posted the entire flow so there are no other _hidden monsters_ which may be further complicating the already _storm in a tea cup_ problem.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/colin/32/17040_2.png) [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Post date:** [21 August 2020 13:17 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/help-with-how-to-parse-this-message/31817/37 "2020-08-21T13:17:09Z")

</div>

Is it generating a regular expression error?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Trying\_to\_learn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/trying_to_learn/32/28400_2.png) [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)\
**Post date:** [21 August 2020 13:18 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/help-with-how-to-parse-this-message/31817/38 "2020-08-21T13:18:15Z")

</div>

As per the screen shot:

 ![Screenshot from 2020-08-21 22-21-05](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/1/6/165b4ebab99a761c125b874d50d2a5fa7f486b62.png)

Though that is an old error and it was resolved with the `\"` trick I was since shown.

But when the flow - posted - is run: the `text` node is WHITE, and not RED which is the goal at this point.

Once I can get that working, I will then modify the code to accept the `msg.payload` stuff to control the colour. THEN, I will put it in the real flow.

Post 32.  
It is the _entire flow_. the message seen in the `debug` node and a screen shot of the `text` node.  
As said: It should be red - looking at the `rgb` part of the message. It is white.  
Something - somewhere - isn't playing the game.

---

<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:** [21 August 2020 13:23 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/help-with-how-to-parse-this-message/31817/39 "2020-08-21T13:23:34Z")

</div>

Your flow is using a ui-text node, this appears to be stripping off inline styles, hence default color: white.  
It works with a template node (as shown above).

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Trying\_to\_learn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/trying_to_learn/32/28400_2.png) [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)\
**Post date:** [21 August 2020 13:28 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/help-with-how-to-parse-this-message/31817/40 "2020-08-21T13:28:29Z")

</div>

Please indulge me why it works on other machines?

I can't dispute what you are saying. I wanted to get the _bulls eye_ to appear and be colour controlled by a message.  
Sure a different message, etc etc. But controlled.  
I got the code from another machine and stuck it here expecting it (or _them_ to be on the same page.)  
Seems they aren't.

Why? I don't know. Yes: It is my problem (and/or fault).

The colour has been RED at one point. So it can change colour. So that is another twist to things. But I am not interested - well, maybe I am - in that. I just want it to do what it was doing on the other machine, only on this one with a slightly different message.

So I shall try a `template` node now.

_brb_.

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