# How to Fix “MISSING_REQUIRED_PROPERTY” Error for data_exchange in WhatsApp Flows
Author: Prashant Jangid
Author URL: https://www.heltar.com/blogs/author/prashant-jangid
Published: 2025-06-25
Category: Troubleshoot
Category URL: https://www.heltar.com/blogs/category/troubleshoot
Tags: WhatsApp Flows Error
Tag URLs: WhatsApp Flows Error (https://www.heltar.com/blogs/tag/whatsapp-flows-error)
URL: https://www.heltar.com/blogs/how-to-fix-missingrequiredproperty-error-for-dataexchange-in-whatsapp-flows-cmcc1r1v2000lx7xn93981nyb

If you're using the data\_exchange action in a WhatsApp Flow and get the error **“MISSING\_REQUIRED\_PROPERTY: The property 'data\_api\_version' is required for data\_exchange action”**, you're missing one critical line in your Flow's JSON.

## Quick Fix

Add the following line at the top level of your JSON:

```
"data_api_version": "3.0"
```

Your final JSON structure should look like this:

```
{
  "version": "2.1",
  "data_api_version": "3.0",
  "screens": [
    {
      "id": "screenA",
      "title": "screenTitle",
      "type": "SingleColumnLayout",
      "layout": {
        "children": [
          {
            "type": "Footer",
            "label": "Submit",
            "on-click-action": {
              "name": "data_exchange",
              "payload": {}
            }
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  ]
}
```

## Why This Error Happens

Whenever you use the _data\_exchange_ action in a Flow, WhatsApp needs to know that this Flow is connected to a server endpoint via the Data API. The key indicator is the presence of the _data\_api\_version_ field in your Flow schema.

If this field is missing, Meta will throw the **MISSING\_REQUIRED\_PROPERTY** error because it assumes your Flow has no backend integration.

## A Bit More Context

- _**data\_exchange**_ is used when you want to send user input to your server and receive a response (for example: form submissions, user verifications, dynamic content rendering).

- **_data\_api\_version_** tells the platform that your Flow depends on a server and must follow a specific contract (in most cases, "3.0" is the current version to use).


Final Tip

If you’re using actions like _navigate_, _end\_flow_, or _opt\_in_, you don’t need _data\_api\_version_. But for any server-related action like _data\_exchange_, it’s mandatory.

## TL;DR

Add **"data\_api\_version": "3.0"** to your Flow JSON whenever you use _data\_exchange_. This simple fix will resolve the error and connect your Flow to your backend properly.

For more troubleshooting insights related to WhatsApp Business API, check out [heltar.com/blogs](https://www.heltar.com/blogs).


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