Append Operator

The Append operator lets you combine values from two different fields. But, the Append operator does not add the values as the Aggregate operator does. Instead, the Append operator combines your values as one value. Suppose you want to create a unique username from a first name and last name. If you enter the first name of Willow and last name of Kusko in separate fields, the Append operator combines the values as WillowKusko.

The Append operator is not limited to input fields. It also lets you append data tables. Let's say you collected names and birth dates in two different parts of your application. You can use the Append operator to combine them.

Similar Data Workflow Operators

The Append operator is like the Extend and Aggregate operators. Here are the operators compared:

Here's a breakdown of each setting in the Append operator's Info window:

Setting

Description

Category

Grayed out and non-adjustable setting indicating the operation type.

Label

Sets the label for your operator, displaying below the operator on your Data Workflow canvas.

This field is optional, but set a label if you use more than one of the same operator type. A label helps you identify your operators without opening any Info windows.

Preserve Argument Type

When selected, this setting ensures the argument data type is respected when the operator executes.

In this example, you'll configure a Data Workflow and Append operator to combine two values. First, you'll configure Text Field components to serve as your inputs. Then, you'll use a Data Workflow to append the values.

Configure the Text Field Components

Configure two Text Field components to serve as your input fields. Then, configure a third to serve as the output for your Data Workflow.

1. In the Module Builder, drag and drop three  Text Field components onto your canvas.
2. In the Property ID and Label Text fields for each component, enter the following:

 

Property ID

Label Text

1

firstString

First String

2

secondString

Second String

3

appendedValue

Appended Value

3. In the appendedValue  Text Field component, from the Input Behavior drop-down, select Disable User Input.

4. Save Component each component as you add it.

Configure the Data Workflow Component

Next, configure a Data Workflow component with two Input operators are used to bring data from the input Text Field components into the Data Workflow. Then, you'll configure an Append operator to combine the values and pass the result to an Output operator.

1. Drag and drop a Data Workflow component onto your canvas, placing it above your appendedValue Text Field component.
2. In the Property ID and Canvas Label Text fields, enter dwfAppendStrings.
3. Set the Trigger Type as Inline image displaying a selected radio button. Watch.

Configure the First Input Operator

1. Drag and drop an Input operator onto your Data Workflow canvas.
2. Configure the operator's Info window as follows:
Info

Category

Input

Component

firstString

Required

Yes

Source

Default

Configure the Second Input Operator

1. Drag and drop another Input operator onto your Data Workflow canvas.
2. Configure the operator's Info window as follows:
Info

Category

Input

Component

secondString

Required

Yes

Source

Default

Configure the Append Operator

1. Drag and drop an Append operator onto your Data Workflow canvas.
2. Configure the operator's Info window as follows:
Info

Category

Append

Label

Append Strings

3. Connect the output port (right) of the firstString Input operator to the upper input port (left) of the Append StringsAppend operator.
4. Connect the output port (right) of the secondString Input operator to the lower input port (left) of the Append StringsAppend operator.

Configure the Output Operator

1. Drag and drop an Output operator onto your Data Workflow canvas.
2. Configure the operator's Info window as follows:
Info

Category

Output

Component

appendedValue

Action

value

3. Connect the output port (right) of the Append StringsAppend operator to the input port (left) of the appendedValueOutput operator.
4. Click Save Component.
5. Save your module.

Here's how the completed Data Workflow looks:

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

Preview your module in Express View and enter values into your Text Field components. As you enter your values, you can view them combining in the Appended Value field.