Sequelize Nested Association with Two Tables - node.js

Question

I have a scenario where I am trying to query a parent table (document) with two associated tables (reference & user) that do not have a relationship to each other, but do have a relationship with the parent table. In SQL, this query would look like such and correctly outputs the data I am looking for:
select *
from `document`
left join `user`
on `document`.`user_id` = `user`.`user_id`
left join `reference`
on `document`.`reference_id` = `reference`.`reference_id`
where `user`.`organization_id` = 1;
However, associations that are nested have to relate in hierarchical order in order for the query to work. Since the nested associations are not related to each other I get an association error. How can I avoid this error? Would required: false have any influence on this?
models.Document.findAll({
order: 'documentDate DESC',
include: [{
model: models.User,
where: { organizationId: req.user.organizationId },
include: [{
model: models.Reference,
}]
}],
})
Error:
Unhandled rejection Error: reference is not associated to user!
Associations:
Document:
associate: function(db) {
Document.belongsTo(db.User, {foreignKey: 'user_id'}),
Document.belongsTo(db.Reference, { foreignKey: 'reference_id'});;
}
Reference:
associate: function(db){
Reference.hasMany(db.Document, { foreignKey: 'reference_id' });
}
Should I just chain queries instead?

Answer 1

If you want to replicate your query (as closely as possibly) use the following query. Keep in mind that the where on the User include will only serve to remove matches on Document.user_id where the User.organization_id does not match, but the Document will still be returned. If you want to omit Documents where the User.organization_id does not match use required: true.
User <- Document -> Reference
models.Document.findAll({
// this is an array of includes, don't nest them
include: [{
model: models.User,
where: { organization_id: req.user.organization_id }, // <-- underscored HERE
required: true, // <-- JOIN to only return Documents where there is a matching User
},
{
model: models.Reference,
required: false, // <-- LEFT JOIN, return rows even if there is no match
}],
order: [['document_date', 'DESC']], // <-- underscored HERE, plus use correct format
});

Answer 2

The error is indicating that the User model is not associated to the Reference model, but there are only definitions for the Document and Reference models in your description. You are joining these tables in your query with the include option, so you have to make sure they are associated. You don't technically need the foreignKey here either, you are specifying the default values.
Add Reference->User association
associate: function(db) {
// belongsTo()? maybe another relationship depending on your data model
Reference.belongsTo(db.User, {foreignKey: 'user_id'});
Reference.hasMany(db.Document, { foreignKey: 'reference_id' });
}
It also looks like you probably set underscored: true in your model definitions, so your query should reflect this. Additionally if you want to perform a LEFT JOIN you need to specify required: false on the include, otherwise it is a regular JOIN and you will only get back rows with matches in the included model. You are also using the wrong order format, it should be an array of values, and to sort by model.document_date DESC you should use order: [['document_date', 'DESC']].
Proper query arguments
models.Document.findAll({
order: [['document_date', 'DESC']], // <-- underscored HERE, plus use correct format
include: [{
model: models.User,
where: { organization_id: req.user.organization_id }, // <-- underscored HERE
required: false, // <-- LEFT JOIN
include: [{
model: models.Reference,
required: false, // <-- LEFT JOIN
}]
}],
});
If you are still having trouble, try enabling logging by setting logging: console.log in your Sequelize connection, that will show you all the queries it is running in your console.

Answer 3

It seems to me that your problem might be the associations, trying to link back to your primary key on Documents instead of the columns 'user_id' and 'reference_id'. You didn't post the table attributes so I might have understood this wrong.
Association on documents are ok.
Documents
associate: function(db) {
Document.belongsTo(db.User, {foreignKey: 'user_id'}), //key in documents
Document.belongsTo(db.Reference, { foreignKey: 'reference_id'}); //key in documents
}
User
associate: function(db) {
User.belongsTo(db.Document, {
foreignKey: 'id', //Key in User
targetKey: 'user_id' //Key in Documents
}),
}
Reference
associate: function(db) {
Reference.belongsTo(db.Document, {
foreignKey: 'id', //Key in reference
targetKey: 'reference_id' //Key in Documents
}),
}
Also
For debbuging consider using logging so you can see the queries.
var sequelize = new Sequelize('database', 'username', 'password', {
logging: console.log
logging: function (str) {
// do your own logging
}
});