Support for text/plain Responses in REST API Connector

[jasonhorner]

Problem Statement:

Currently, the Azure Data Factory REST API connector only supports REST endpoints that return responses in application/json format. However, many modern and legacy REST APIs legitimately return responses as text/plain (e.g., health checks, keys, tokens, or plain status messages). When using such APIs, the REST connector fails to process the response, making it incompatible with otherwise valid REST interfaces.

Although it's possible to work around this by invoking a function activity or using custom logic, this introduces unnecessary complexity and overhead.

Proposed Solution:

Enable the REST connector to support text/plain responses by:

• Wrapping the plain text in a valid JSON document (e.g., { "response": "raw text here" }), or

• Exposing the raw response as a string under a default or user-defined property.

Business Value:

• Simplifies pipeline development: Reduces the need for workarounds like function or web activities.

• Expands connector compatibility: Supports more REST APIs natively, including those used in DevOps, monitoring, security, and identity systems.

• Improves performance: Avoids additional activities or dependencies that increase execution time and cost.

• Enhances usability: Makes ADF more flexible and developer-friendly.