Unleash IntelliSense in PowerShell – From hash tables to intuitive objects

Simplify your PowerShell scripts by converting hash tables into objects! With all data in one variable, you’ll unlock IntelliSense support, making configuration data easier to find and use.

Convert hash tables into objects 

In the previous tip we used external configuration data stored in a *.psd1 file and imported it into a script using Import‑PowerShellDataFile. Access to *.psd1 data was simplified by turning all hash table keys into easily accessible script-global variables.

There is another great alternative that we tackle in this tip: converting a hash table to an object. This way, you have all external information contained in one variable, and IntelliSense helps you pick the information you may need.
Let’s try and improve this. Here is the *.psd1 file again:

@{

   # paths to important folders

   dataInPath = 'c:\data1', '\\server2\public\data'

   dataOutPath = '\\server99\public\results'

   dataLogPath = 'f:\local\log'



   # AD groups 

   dataGroups = 'Technicians', 'Testers', 'Auditors'



   # miscellaneaous settings

   dataTimeoutSeconds = 5400

   dataLogLevel = 4

} 

And this is the script that reads in the *.psd1 file as a hash table (make sure both files are stored in the same folder):

# data.psd1 must be located in the same folder

$dataPath = Join-Path -Path $PSScriptRoot -ChildPath data.psd1



# safely read psd1 file (caveat: unsafe reads can execute code within psd1 file)

$dataHashtable = Import-PowerShellDataFile -Path $dataPath 

Hash tables can easily be converted to objects in PowerShell, so this gets you an object instead of a hash table:

# data.psd1 must be located in the same folder

$dataPath = Join-Path -Path $PSScriptRoot -ChildPath data.psd1



# convert hash table keys into variables

$hashObject = [PSCustomObject](Import-PowerShellDataFile -Path $dataPath)

$hashObject | Out-GridView -Title 'Hash table as Object' 

$hashObject.dataLogLevel 

As object, all *.psd1 data is now contained in one single object, and exposed as different object properties. This simplifies coding a lot because now you get IntelliSense once you type "hashObject.", and get a list of all external properties that are present in the *.psd1 file.

All four tips around the topic 'utilizing external config data': 

Each tip progressively builds on creating a more manageable, efficient, and secure way to handle configuration data in PowerShell scripts, moving from basic hash tables to more advanced type-safe objects.

• Basic external configurations with hash tables
  Say goodbye to hardcoding paths and settings! Learn how to simplify your PowerShell scripts by storing config data separately with hash tables in *.psd1 files.
  
  
• Improve access with hash table to variable conversion
  Tired of digging through hash tables? Discover a trick that lets you access config settings directly as variables and make your scripts a breeze to read.
  
  
• Enhance usability with object conversion
  Make your configuration data smarter! Convert hash tables into objects for intuitive access and code that practically writes itself.
  
  
• Add type safety with PowerShell classes
  Protect your PowerShell scripts from misconfiguration. See how custom classes add structure, control, and type safety for robust, error-free scripts.

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