TEXTJOIN Formula

Estimated Reading Time:  5 minutes

Overview

The TEXTJOIN function is a formula that combines multiple variables or strings into a single string A string is an object that represents a sequence of characters. Strings typically hold data represented in text form.. You can also specify a delimiter A delimiter is a chracter or symbol that seperates words, data, or other characters. Use delimiters to mark the begining, or end of of value. Example delimiters include the comma ",", ampersand "&", or an empty space " ". that's inserted between each joined value. This could be a character (like a comma or ampersand) or an empty space. You can also choose to include or skip empty cells.

Consider a practical example of when you'd use the TEXTJOIN formula. Suppose you have an application where end-users End-users, also known as Express Users, are the individuals accessing an application through Express View. In most cases, end-users are the customers using the product. enter a first and last name in separate  Text Fields. But you also want to create a field that stores their full name as a single value. You can use the TEXTJOIN formula in a  Calculator component to join those strings. And an empty space would be a fitting delimiter.

NOTE  The TEXTJOIN formula isn't suitable for joining an array of values into a single string. When using TEXTJOIN on an array, the Calculator only outputs a comma-separated list of all values in the array. The Calculator ignores the delimiter and ignore_empty parts set in the formula. To join values from an array, use the Join operator in a Data Workflow Icon Data Workflow component.

TIP  To learn about additional formulas supported in the Initializer, Calculator, and Data Workflow components, view our Supported Formulas documentation.

What You'll Learn

After completing this article, you’ll learn about the parts of a TEXTJOIN formula and how to use one in a Calculator component.

Parts of the TEXTJOIN Formula

The function signature for the TEXTJOIN formula is:

=TEXTJOIN("{delimiter}", {ignore_empty}, {"value1"}, {"value2"}, {…}).

This outputs a string of concatenated values, all separated by a delimiter.

Argument

Description

delimiter

Specify a delimiter used to separate your values. For example, a space (" "), comma (","), ampersand ("&"), or even a combination of characters. If you don't set a delimiter, the function concatenates all values without a delimiter. You must surround the delimiter in quotation marks. If you use a number as a string delimiter, the Calculator treats the number as text.

ignore_empty

Specify whether to exclude empty values from the final output. If you enter TRUE, the Calculator excludes any empty values from the final output. If you enter FALSE, the Calculator does not exclude empty values from the output.

value1, value2...

Lists the strings you want to be concatenated. You can use an alias to dynamically reference input from another component in your module. Or, you can hard-code the value. You can also combine alias values and hard-coded values. For example, =TEXTJOIN(" ", TRUE, "Hello", A, B) joins the word Hello with the values from the inputs assigned the aliases A and B.

TIP  When hard-coding values, you must surround the value in quotation marks. If your value is not in quotation marks, the component assumes the value is a Property ID in the module. You don't surround aliases with quotation marks.

Using The TEXTJOIN Formula in the Calculator Component

For this example, you'll build an app that takes a first and last name and joins them together in a sentence. The final output becomes "My name is {firstName} {lastName}", separated by spaces.

NOTE  These instructions assume that you have an open module saved with a title.

What You Need

For this configuration, you need the following components:

Configure the Text Field Components

Start the configuration by adding three  Text Field components for a first name, last name, and a field to display the joined sentence.

1. From the Module Builder, drag and drop a  Text Field component onto your canvas.
2. In the Property ID A Property ID is the unique field ID used by Unqork to track and link components in your module. field, enter firstName.
3. In the Label Text Label Text conveys what the input component is and what information it displays. Enter the purpose of the corresponding component or field. field, enter First Name.
4. Click Save & Close.
5. Repeat this process for the two remaining  Text Field components, placing them under the firstName  Text Field component:

Property ID

Label Text

lastName

Last Name

yourName

Your Name
6. In the yourName  Text Field component, set Disable User Input to (ON). This field auto-populates with the joined sentence and does not need to be editable.

A static image displaying the yourName Text Field component. The Property ID and Label Text are filled out, and the Disable User Input toggle is set to ON.(click image to expand)

7. Save & Close each component as you add it.

Configure the Calculator Component

The calcTextJoin  Calculator component contains the TEXTJOIN formula. The formula combines hard-coded values with aliases, allowing you to dynamically substitute the end-user's End-users, also known as Express Users, are the individuals accessing an application through Express View. In most cases, end-users are the customers using the product. first and last name in the formula.

1. Drag and drop a  Calculator component onto your canvas, placing it between the lastName and yourName  Text Field components.
2. In the Property ID A Property ID is the unique field ID used by Unqork to track and link components in your module. and Canvas Label Text Canvas Label Text indicates the purpose of the corresponding field or component. For non-input components, the Canvas Label Text isn't end-user facing, and only appears in the . fields, enter calcTextJoin.
3. From the component's configuration window, select Actions Icon Actions.
4. In the Inputs table, enter the following:
 

Property ID

Alias

Required

1

firstName

A

☐ (unchecked)

2

lastName

B

☐ (unchecked)
5. In the Outputs table, enter the following:
 

Property ID

Formula

1

yourName

=TEXTJOIN(" ",TRUE,"My name is",A,B)

TIP  You could also write this formula as =TEXTJOIN(" ", TRUE, "My", "name", "is", A, B).

A static image displaying the calcTextJoin Calculator component's Actions settings. The Inputs table includes the firstName and lastName fields, and the Outputs conmtains the yourName field.(click image to expand)

6. Click Save & Close.

Configure the Button Component

Finally, the btnRunCalc Button component Icon Button component triggers the calcTextJoin  Calculator component.

1. Drag and drop a Button component Icon Button component onto your canvas, placing it below the yourName  Text Field component.
2. In the Property ID A Property ID is the unique field ID used by Unqork to track and link components in your module. field, enter btnRunCalc.
3. In the Label Text Label Text conveys what the input component is and what information it displays. Enter the purpose of the corresponding component or field. field, enter Run Calculator.
4. From the component's configuration window, select Actions Icon Actions.
5. Set the Action Type as Event.
6. In the On-Click field, enter or select calcTextJoin.

A static image displaying the btnRunCalc Button component's Action settings. The Action Type is set to Event, and the Triggers On Click field is set to calcTextJoin.(click image to expand)

7. Click Save & Close.
8. Save your module.

Preview your module in Express View Express View is how your end-user views you application. Express View also lets you preview your applications to test your configuration and view the styling. This is also the view your end-users will see when interacting with your application. After configuring a module, click Preview in the Module Builder to interact with the module in Express View.. Fill out the first and last name fields and click Submit. My name is {firstName} {lastName} appears in the Your Name text field:

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