Action Tool

The Action tool updates the configuration of a workflow with values provided by interface questions, when run as an app or macro.

The Action tool has two incoming connection anchors:

  • The Input Connector accepts the output connections of Interface tools that use the same graphic. This Input connector accepts multiple inputs. It is the value from the incoming tool that will be applied to the Action and sent to update the downstream tool.
  • The Condition Anchor accepts the output of a Condition Tool.

The Action tool has one outgoing connection anchor:

  • The Lightning Bolt Anchor will connect to the Lightning Bolt input of a workflow tool. The connection between these anchors contains the user's value from the interface tool and the method of how it will update the connected workflow tool with that value.

Configure the tool

The action tool has many possible configurations but only those actions that make sense based on the incoming and outgoing connections will be visible, therefore taking the guesswork out of which options to pick.

  1. Before configuring an Action tool, make sure it is connected - ensure it has an incoming and outgoing connection.
  2. If you draw a connection from a Question tool to a workflow tool, a configured Action tool will be placed automatically in between the tools.

  3. Select an action type: If the tool is connected to an incoming and outgoing tool, the list of available action types will be pared down.
  4. Based on the Action Type and tool you are updating, click the element of the tool configuration to be updated.
  5. Complete the configuration as necessary.

Action types

Action Type Description Example Flow
Delete tool from workflow Removes a tool from a workflow - it is preferred to use a Detour Tool or Detour End Tool to bypass sections of the workflow, but those tools do not remove input tools. Condition Tool -> Action()-> Input Data Tool()
Enable/Disable Container from Condition Tool

Updates the Tool Container Tool's Disable checkbox based on the connected Condition tool.

Use a Condition Tool when you want to account for a true and a false outcome.

Radio Button Tool -> Condition Tool (T)-> Action()-> Tool Container Tool ()
Enable/Disable Container from Question

Updates the Tool Container Tool's Disable checkbox based on the connected Question tool.

Radio Button Tool -> Action()-> Tool Container Tool ()
Update Cell Updates the value of a single cell of a Text Input Tool. Text Box Tool -> Action()-> Text Input Tool()
Update Detour Tool direction from Condition Tool

Updates a Detour Tool.

Use a Condition Tool when you want to account for a true and a false outcome of the Condition.

Radio Button Tool -> Condition Tool (T)-> Action()-> Detour Tool()
Update Detour Tool direction from Question Updates a Detour Tool. Radio Button Tool -> Action()-> Detour Tool()
Update Directory with Folder Browse Tool Updates the directory string of a folder path. Folder Browse Tool -> Action()-> Directory Tool()
Update Field List Updates a tool that has a simple fields list. Drop Down Tool -> Action()-> Find Replace Tool()
Update Updates an Input Data Tool with results of a file browse question. File Browse Tool -> Action()-> Input Data Tool()
Update Map Input Tool with Map Tool Question Updates the Map Input tool. Map Tool -> Action()-> Map Input Tool()
Update Output Data Tool Updates an Output Data Tool with the results of a file browse. File Browse Tool -> Action()-> Output Data Tool()
Update Password Updates a password. Text Box Tool -> Action()-> Download Tool ()
Update Raw XML with Formula Allows the underlying XML to be changed in almost any way possible. Proper use of this Action requires proficiency in proper XML syntax.

Text Box Tool -> Action()-> Output Data Tool()

(Just about any Question tool-> Action-> Just about any Workflow tool)

Update Select Tool with multi-select List Box Tool Updates a Select Tool with the results of a user's field selection. Multiple field selection is supported. List Box Tool -> Action()-> Select Tool ()
Update Select Tool with Reverse Field Map Updates a Select Tool with the results of a user's field selection when a field map is used while maintaining the user's original field names. Macro Input Tool -> Action()-> Select Tool ()
Update Sort Order Updates the sort order of a Sort Tool.

Action -> Sort Tool()

The Action tool doesn't require any input.

Update Trade Area Tool Radius Updates the radius of the Trade Area Tool. Numeric Up Down Tool -> Action()-> Trade Area Tool()
Update Value Updates any part of a tool's configuration in the underlying workflow based on the user's answers.

Text Box Tool -> Action()-> Filter Tool ()

(Just about any Question tool-> Action-> Just about any Workflow tool)

Update Value with a Formula Updates any part of a tool's configuration in the underlying workflow based on the user's answers and a formula.

Variables refer to in-coming connections and will be of the naming convention:

#Connection Number: (Interface Tool Name) Description

You can reference multiple connections in a formula as long as they are all connected to the Action tool. See Expression Editor.

Numeric Up Down Tool -> Action()-> Formula Tool ()

(Just about any Question tool-> Action-> Just about any Workflow tool)