# Working with Data



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
title: "Introduction"
description: "Catalyst NoSQL is a fully-managed, powerful database that provides you with a non-relational, non-SQL means of data storage. Create, manage, and query data in NoSQL tables with ease, and perform CRUD operations in Java, Node.js, and Python."
last_updated: "2026-03-18T07:41:08.534Z"
source: "https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/cloud-scale/help/nosql/working-with-data/introduction/"
service: "Cloud Scale"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


# Working with Data in NoSQL


The data units in NoSQL are referred to as *Items*, wherein each data item is similar to a record or row in a relational database, as described in this {{%link href="/en/cloud-scale/help/nosql/components/#basic-components" %}}Terminology{{%/link%}}. Catalyst enables you to perform CRUD operations on your NoSQL tables using the server-side SDKs of {{%link href="/en/sdk/java/v1/cloud-scale/nosql/get-table-metadata/" %}}Java{{%/link%}}, {{%link href="/en/sdk/nodejs/v2/cloud-scale/nosql/get-component-instance/" %}}Node.js{{%/link%}}, or {{%link href="/en/sdk/python/v1/cloud-scale/nosql/get-component-instance/" %}}Python{{%/link%}} and through API. 

{{%note%}}{{%bold%}}Note:{{%/bold%}} You can also perform CRUD operations from the Catalyst console to test working with data in NoSQL. However, you will only be able to add one item in a table from the console.{{%/note%}}

Catalyst supports the key-value pair based document-type data storage with the ability to add data in the Catalyst Custom JSON format, which is explained in the next section. 

{{%note%}}{{%bold%}}Note:{{%/bold%}} You can add data in the regular JSON format that follows the International standard syntax from the Catalyst console alone to test. However, when working with the SDKs and API, you will only be able to add data in the Custom JSON format.{{%/note%}}

Catalyst also enables you to use multiple data types in the JSON data, that you can configure NoSQL attributes with. You can declare the right data type for an attribute while adding or updating data in the table.

<br>

### Supported Data Types

The data types supported in Catalyst for NoSQL {{%link href="/en/cloud-scale/help/nosql/components/#basic-components" %}}attributes{{%/link%}} are listed below.

<br>

<table class="content-table nosql-components-table">

<thead>
        <tr>
            <th class="w10p">Data Type</th>
            <th class="w10p">Notation</th>
            <th class="w30p">Description</th>
        </tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
    <tr>
        <td>String</td>
        <td>{{%badge%}}S{{%/badge%}}</td>
        <td>Stores a sequence of characters </td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
        <td>Number</td>
        <td>{{%badge%}}N{{%/badge%}}</td>
        <td>Stores a numerical value</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
        <td>Binary</td>
        <td>{{%badge%}}B{{%/badge%}}</td>
        <td>Stores a binary number that represents a sequence of bytes </td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
       <td>Boolean</td>
        <td>{{%badge%}}BOOL{{%/badge%}}</td>
        <td>Stores one of these boolean values: {{%badge%}}true{{%/badge%}} or {{%badge%}}false{{%/badge%}} </td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
        <td>Set of String</td>
        <td>{{%badge%}}SS{{%/badge%}}</td>
        <td>A set that stores one or more unique strings </td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
        <td>Set of Numbers</td>
        <td>{{%badge%}}SN{{%/badge%}}</td>
        <td>A set that stores a collection of numbers </td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
        <td>Set of Binary</td>
        <td>{{%badge%}}SB{{%/badge%}}</td>
        <td>A set that stores a collection of binary numbers as a byte set </td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
        <td>List</td>
        <td>{{%badge%}}L{{%/badge%}}</td>
        <td>Stores ordered elements of the same data type </td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
        <td>Map</td>
        <td>{{%badge%}}M{{%/badge%}}</td>
        <td>Stores an unordered collection of key-value pair elements </td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
        <td>Null</td>
        <td>{{%badge%}}NULL{{%/badge%}}</td>
        <td>Stores only one value: {{%badge%}}NULL{{%/badge%}} </td>
    </tr>
</tbody>
</table>

To understand the notations and usage of these data types while adding data in NoSQL, refer to the [Catalyst Custom JSON format section](#the-catalyst-custom-json-format).

{{%note%}}{{%bold%}}Note:{{%/bold%}} 

* When you configure a table or an index in NoSQL from the console, Catalyst allows you to only select one of the two data types, {{%bold%}}String{{%/bold%}} or {{%bold%}}Number{{%/bold%}}, for the {{%link href="/en/cloud-scale/help/nosql/components/#table-keys" %}}primary keys{{%/link%}} of the table. This includes the partition key, sort key, and additional sort keys.

* While adding or updating data in your NoSQL table, you must ensure that always you add the appropriate value for an attribute that matches the data type that you declare for it. Any mismatches between the data types and values will throw errors.{{%/note%}}

<br>

### The Catalyst Custom JSON Format

The Catalyst Custom JSON is the format of JSON data that Catalyst can process for NoSQL. The syntax is similar to the standard JSON Format with the addition of specifying the [data type](#supported-data-types) that each attribute is configured with.

Let's look at a sample table to understand the Catalyst Custom JSON format. 

#### Sample Table Representation

{{%bold%}}Table Name{{%/bold%}}- Employees

{{%code class="language-json line-numbers" scroll="set-scroll" %}}{
	"item": {
 	"EmpID": {
  	"N": "10999"
  	},
 	"FirstName":{
  	"S": "Paul"
  	},
 	"LastName":{
  	"S": "Smith"
  	},
 	"YearOfJoining":{
  	"N": 2011
  	},
 	"PriorExperience":{
  	"BOOL": false
  	},
 	"Location": {
  	"M": {
   	"Country": {
    	"S": "USA"
   	},
   	"City": {
    	"S": "New York"
    	}
   	}
  	}
},

"item": {
  	"EmpID": {
   	"N": "10113"
   	},
  	"FirstName":{
   	"S": "Lana"
   	},
  	"LastName":{
   	"S": "Belle"
   	},
  	"YearOfJoining":{
   	"N": 2019
   	},
  	"PriorExperience":{
   	"BOOL": true
   	},
  	"Department": {
   	"S": "IT"
  	}
},
	"item": {
  	"EmpID": {
   	"N": "29123"
   	},
  	"FirstName":{
   	"S": "Kevin"
   	},
  	"LastName":{
   	"S": "Wilson"
   	},
  	"YearOfJoining":{
   	"N": 2023
   	},
 "Clubs":{
  	"L":
 		[
    {
   	"S": "Innovate"
   	},
   	{
   	"S": "Swimmers of NPY"
   	},
  	{
 			"S": "Technova"
 			}
 		]
  	}
  } 
}
{{%/code%}}

The *Employees* table includes nested JSON properties under the {{%badge%}}Location{{%/badge%}} attribute, as well as an attribute, {{%badge%}}Clubs{{%/badge%}}, with array values. In this table, each attribute is denoted with the data type configured for it, such as {{%badge%}}N{{%/badge%}} (Number) for {{%badge%}}EmpI{{%/badge%}} and {{%badge%}}YearOfJoining{{%/badge%}}, or {{%badge%}}S{{%/badge%}} for {{%badge%}}FirstName{{%/badge%}} and {{%badge%}}LastName{{%/badge%}}. The boolean attribute {{%badge%}}PriorExperience{{%/badge%}} is denoted as {{%badge%}}BOOL{{%/badge%}}.

Refer to the [Supported Data Types section](#supported-data-types) for all data types and their notations that you can use.

#### Important Points to Remember:

* The primary keys of the table- the partition key and the sort keys, must be present in the root while constructing an item for adding or updating data in a table. The format shown here is only a representation. The formats for constructing data in each server-side SDK in this JSON format varies.

* You can add or update data for your NoSQL table from the Catalyst console in either the standard JSON Format or the Catalyst Custom JSON Format to test. 

* You can only add or update data in your NoSQL table through the server-specific SDK of {{%link href="/en/sdk/java/v1/cloud-scale/nosql/get-table-metadata/" %}}Java{{%/link%}}, {{%link href="/en/sdk/nodejs/v2/cloud-scale/nosql/get-component-instance/" %}}Node.js{{%/link%}}, or {{%link href="/en/sdk/python/v1/cloud-scale/nosql/get-component-instance/" %}}Python{{%/link%}}, or through API, in the Catalyst Custom JSON format. The SDK help resources contain the formats and examples of constructing data items and inserting them in that programming environment.

* If you use the standard JSON format while adding or updating data from the console, the data types associated with the primary key attributes while creating the table or index will be processed automatically. For all other attributes, their data types are recognized automatically by Catalyst based on the values you provide.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
title: "Add and Manage Data"
description: "Catalyst NoSQL is a fully-managed, powerful database that provides you with a non-relational, non-SQL means of data storage. Create, manage, and query data in NoSQL tables with ease, and perform CRUD operations in Java, Node.js, and Python."
last_updated: "2026-03-18T07:41:08.534Z"
source: "https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/cloud-scale/help/nosql/working-with-data/add-manage-data/"
service: "Cloud Scale"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


# Add and Manage Data in a NoSQL Table

### Overview

This section covers performing CRUD operations in Catalyst NoSQL, as well as managing data from the Catalyst console. Refer to the {{%link href="/en/sdk/java/v1/cloud-scale/nosql/get-table-metadata/" %}}Java{{%/link%}}, {{%link href="/en/sdk/nodejs/v2/cloud-scale/nosql/get-component-instance/" %}}Node.js{{%/link%}}, and {{%link href="/en/sdk/python/v1/cloud-scale/nosql/get-component-instance/" %}}Python{{%/link%}} SDK and the {{%link href="/en/api/code-reference/cloud-scale/nosql/insert-item/#InsertNewItem" %}}API documentation{{%/link%}} for performing data operations through code or API.

Here are a few points to remember when you add or update data in a Catalyst NoSQL table:

* The values for the configured partition key of a table must be present in each data item, if it is configured with a simple primary key. In case of a composite primary key, both {{%link href="/en/cloud-scale/help/nosql/components/#table-keys" %}}partition key and sort key{{%/link%}} values must be present in each data item.

* The data types configured for the partition key and sort key of a table must match with the data types you provide for the values of those attributes.

* You will not be able to change the data types of the partition key and sort key in a table or the attributes associated with them, when you add or update data in the table.

* The maximum total size of an item provisioned in Catalyst NoSQL is 400 KB.

<br>

### Add Data in a Table

To add data in a NoSQL table from the Catalyst console to test:

1. Navigate to the {{%italics%}}Data{{%/italics%}} section of the table from the NoSQL component, then click {{%bold%}}Add Data{{%/bold%}}.



<br>

2. This will open a pop-up where you can add data to the table. Catalyst will display a template for the data, which will include the partition key and sort key configured for the table, in both the {{%link href="/en/cloud-scale/help/nosql/working-with-data/introduction/#the-catalyst-custom-json-format" %}}Custom and Standard JSON formats{{%/link%}}.

{{%note%}}{{%bold%}}Note:{{%/bold%}} You can only add one item in the table from the console. This is because, the data operations provided in the console are solely for testing purposes.{{%/note%}}


<br>

You can switch between the standard and Custom JSON view using the toggle button. However, there are certain conditions that data in the standard format must satisfy for you to be able to switch to the Custom format. This is explained below.



<br>

3. Add the data for the table in either of the formats, then click {{%bold%}}Create{{%/bold%}}.
	
{{%bold%}}Custom JSON Format:{{%/bold%}}



{{%bold%}}Standard JSON Format:{{%/bold%}}


<br>

#### Conditions when the JSON View Toggle Button is Disabled

In certain cases, you will not be able to toggle between the Standard and the Custom JSON format while adding or updating data in the console. These include:

1. When the data type of an attribute is invalid or not {{%link href="/en/cloud-scale/help/nosql/working-with-data/introduction/#supported-data-types" %}}supported{{%/link%}} in Catalyst

2. When the value provided for a key in the JSON is invalid

3. When the JSON code added is invalid, or contains syntax or logical errors

4. When the data is valid but includes certain supported data types that cannot be rendered in the Standard JSON view. For example, SS (Set of Strings) or SN (Set of Numbers) cannot be rendered, but the data you provide will be added to the table.

After you add the data in a NoSQL table, it will be displayed in the Data section in a tabular manner for easy viewing.



{{%note%}}{{%bold%}}Note:{{%/bold%}} Please remember that the table data will not be displayed persistently in the {{%italics%}}Data{{%/italics%}} section. You will be able to view the table data only by querying in this section.{{%/note%}}

You can filter columns to be displayed upon querying or right after adding data through the console, using the {{%bold%}}Filter icon{{%/bold%}} in the bottom-right corner. Select the required columns and click {{%bold%}}Apply{{%/bold%}}.



This will display the selected columns.



<br>

#### View Table Data as JSON

1. You can view the table data in the JSON format by clicking the ellipsis icon against the table.



<br>

2. Then, click {{%bold%}}View JSON{{%/bold%}} from the options.



This displays the table data in Catalyst Custom JSON format.



<br>

### Update Data in a Table

You can update your NoSQL table data easily from the console to test. All the specifications and constraints described for data addition apply to the data update operation as well. 

{{%note%}}{{%bold%}}Note:{{%/bold%}} If you update the data in a table from the console, it will essentially overwrite the existing data, as this is for testing purposes. However, if you update data from code through the SDKs, or through the API, the standard update process of a CRUD operation is applied.{{%/note%}}

To update the data of a NoSQL table in your project:

1. Click the ellipsis icon against the table, then click {{%bold%}}Edit{{%/bold%}}.



<br>

2. Update the data in the Standard or the Custom JSON format, then click {{%bold%}}Update{{%/bold%}}.



<br>

### Delete Data in a Table

To permanently delete the data you added in a NoSQL table for testing purposes:

1. Click the ellipsis icon against the table, then click {{%bold%}}Delete{{%/bold%}}.



2. Click {{%bold%}}Delete{{%/bold%}} in the confirmation pop-up.