Hi Daniel,
The attached VI (in LV 7.0) may help illustrate how to flatten and un-flatten data structures.
Note:
The top output of the flatten to... , labeled "type string" was confusing when I first encountered this function. For what you are doing, just ignore it.
FYI
I know of only two applications for the this "type string" (that come to mind) are when you need to deal with a generic data type where it is not possible to define using the normal "wire it up" method. These cases are;
1) When setting a control value on a VI where the icon connector is not available. This is illustrated in the code at the bottom of the diagram where you will find an "invoke node >>> Set control value".
2) The other example is when you want to find the
strings associated with an enum but do not want to use a property node. This is illustrated in the example I posted for this question.
http://exchange.ni.com/servlet/ProcessRequest?RHIVEID=101&RPAGEID=137&HOID=5065000000050000009ACB0100&HTHREAD=000117658000117789000117841&UCATEGORY_0=_49_%24_6_&UCATEGORY_S=0
I hope this helps,
Ben