Using setValues() with arrays of different lengths

Question

I have a two-dimensional array in Google apps script that contains arrays of different lengths. I would like to set the values of the array in a spreadsheet. However, because the arrays inside it are different lengths, I receive an error that essentially says the range and the array height don't line up. I've listed an example of the structure of the array below.

I can make it work if I add empty values to each individual array so that they all match the length of the longest array. This seems like a workaround though. Is there another way that I can set the values of the two-dimensional array?

var array = [
  [a],
  [b,c],
  [d,e],
  [],
  [f,g,h,i],
  [],
  [j,k],
  ]

Answer 1

No, you cannot. The dimensions must match.

What you can do if you have few "rows" with great length difference, is to set each row on it's own.

for( var i = 0; i < array.length; ++i )
  sheet.getRange(i+1, 1, 1, array[i].length).setValues([array[i]]);

But that's just another workaround. But working on your array to make all lengths match and do a single setValues will probably perform better.

Answer 2

In case your real array has many rows, individual writes will be expensive. Redimensioning each row array is fairly straightforward due to the way js handles arrays. A pattern similar to one i use is:

function myFunction() {
 var array = [
  [1],
  [2,2],
  [3,5],
  [],
  [0,0,0,0],
  [],
  [0,0],
 ];

 // get length of the longest row
 var max = array
  .slice(0)
  .sort(function (a,b) {
    return ( (a.length !== b.length) ? 1 : 0 );
  })[0].length;

 // arrays are zero indexed
 var maxi = max-1;

 // insert a pointer at max index if none exists
 array = array
  .map(function (a){ 
    a[maxi] = a[maxi] || ""; 
    return a; 
  });

 Logger.log(array);
}