Group Input Operator

Overview

The Group Input operator lets you combine data from multiple sources into a single object in your Data Workflow.

For example, let's say you need to collect the name, phone number, and email address data points from your end-user 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.. You'll gather each in separate components and use a Group Input operator to combine all three. One Group Input operator can reference up to six components. It always serves as an input to your Data Workflow and therefore only has an output port.

You’ll find the Group Input operator under the I/O group to the left of the Data Workflow canvas.

About the Info Window

And here's a breakdown of each setting in the Info window:

Setting	Description
Category	Grayed out and non-adjustable setting indicating the operation type.
Component	A component storing the data you'll bring into your Data Workflow. Here, you'll see a drop-down containing every component's Property ID A Property ID is the unique field ID used by Unqork to track and link components in your module. in your module. Select the component you want to reference from the drop-down list. After selecting a Property ID, the Component field remains editable. You can type in the Component field to define a property path or target fields nested under the selected Property ID. Your selection displays as the operator's label. You must make a selection here for the operator to function as expected. Be sure to select one of the components you're referencing here. You'll reference the others in the following Component fields. The Data Workflow component supports using grid referencing syntax to target the Dynamic Grid, Uniform Grid, and Freeform Grid components. Grid referencing syntax supports targeting at the component, column, row, and cell level. To learn more, view the following articles in our Documentation Hub: Dynamic Grid: Targeted Logic and Referencing Syntax and Uniform Grid and Freeform Grid: Logic and Referencing Syntax.
Component 1-5	Add the additional components you want to include with your selection above. Remember, the Group Input operator can have multiple inputs. Each extra field lets you choose a component to reference in your Data Workflow. You'll select a unique Property ID from each drop-down. If you're referencing fewer than five extra components, you'll leave the rest empty.
Required	When set to Yes, your Data Workflow does not begin until a value is present in each of your chosen components. So, if you select a Text Field and Email component, your Data Workflow does not run if either field is empty. When set to No, the Data Workflow runs with or without a value in your chosen components. The result is an empty string for each blank value. By default, the Required drop-down is set to Yes.

Manually-Defined Inputs

In some cases, you might want to reference an input that does not display in the Info window's Component drop-down. For example, Property IDs of components in imported modules.

To reference an input that doesn't display in the Component drop-down:

1.

Select your Group Input operator.

2.

In the operator's Info window, select any Property ID A Property ID is the unique field ID used by Unqork to track and link components in your module. from the Component drop-down. The Property ID A Property ID is the unique field ID used by Unqork to track and link components in your module. displays below the Group Input operator as a label.

3.

On the Data Workflow canvas, double-click the Group Input operator's label. The field becomes editable.

4.

Enter the Property ID A Property ID is the unique field ID used by Unqork to track and link components in your module. to use as an input.

5.

Click outside the field to save your manually-defined input.

Reopening the Data Workflow component might not display your manually-defined input on the canvas, though the connection still exists. Consider using the Data Workflow component's Comment field to note the input.

Adding a Group Input Operator

To demonstrate a Group Input operator, you'll take values from three Text Field components and combine them into a single object.

Configure the Text Field Components

You'll use these fields to enter information related to dogs, including name, breed, and color.

1.

In the Module Builder, drag and drop three  Text Field components onto your canvas.

2.

In each component's Property ID A Property ID is the unique field ID used by Unqork to track and link components in your module. and 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 the following:

3.

Save Component each component as you add it.

Configure the Hidden Component

Next, configure a Hidden component to store the Data Workflow's output data.

1.

Drag and drop a Hidden component onto your canvas, placing it below your color  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. and   Label Text Label Text conveys what the input component is and what information it displays. Enter the purpose of the corresponding component or field. fields, enter dwfGroupInputOutput.

3.

Click Save Component.

Configure the Data Workflow Component

Now, add a Data Workflow component to process the data.

1.

Drag and drop a Data Workflow component, placing it between your color  Text Field and dwfGroupInputOutputHidden 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 dwfDogs.

Configure the Group Input Operator

1.

Drag and drop a Group Input operator onto your Data Workflow canvas.

2.

Configure the operator's Info window as follows:

Configure the Output Data Operator

1.

Drag and drop an Output operator onto your Data Workflow canvas.

2.

Configure the operator's Info window as follows:

3.

Connect the output port (right) of the Group Input operator to the input port (left) of the Output operator.

4.

Click Save Component.

Here's how the completed Data Workflow looks:

Configure the Button Component

Lastly, add a Button component to trigger Triggers activate another component when certain requirements are met. Trigger types include Concurrent, Post, and Error. Some components do not have the ability to trigger others. the Data Workflow.

1.

Drag and drop a Button component onto your canvas, placing it below your dwfDogsData Workflow 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 btnTrigger.

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 Trigger Data Workflow.

4.

From the Action Type drop-down, select Event.

5.

From the On Click drop-down, select dwfDogs.

6.

Click Save Component.

7.

Save  your module.

Here's how the completed example looks in the Module Builder:

Here's how the completed example works in Express View Express View is how your end-user views your 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., including a look of the DevTools Console The DevTools Console helps you securely store, build, test, and deploy your software.:

Preview your module in Express View Express View is how your end-user views your 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. and complete your end-user input fields. With your DevTools Console The DevTools Console helps you securely store, build, test, and deploy your software. open, click Trigger Data Workflow. The Data Workflow combines the values from each of your Text Field components and puts the resulting value in your Hidden component.