Create Field Operator

Overview

The Create Field operator is a multi-purpose operator. At the simplest level, it does what its name suggests: creates fields. But, you can also use the Create Field operator to:

You'll find the Create Field operator in the Table group in the menu on the Data Workflow canvas.

What You'll Learn

In this article, you'll learn:

Here's what the Create Field operator looks like, along with its Info window:

A static image displaying the Create Field operator and its Settings Info window.

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

Setting

Description

Label

Sets the label for your operator and displays beneath your 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.

Do Not Sanitize Formula

When this checkbox is clear, the operator does its best to clean up values coming into or defined in the operator. For example, removing special characters. Some of those special characters include ', $, #, &amp. The operator also cleans up complex values. For example, logically breaking up strings of numbers and letters using underscores. A sample module ID can go from "5f6b4cdfabf886024d4de2d3" to "5f_6b_4cdfabf_886024d_4de_2d_3".

Sanitizing improves performance. But, it can also lead to unexpected data behavior. If your Create Field isn't behaving as expected, try selecting this box.

When selected, the operator uses your values and expressions as-is. This is best when working with complex values or values that should remain unchanged.

By default, this setting is selected, which means the operator doesn't attempt to sanitize.

Preserve Argument Type

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

Field 1-5

Notice how the Create Field operator has 5 different Field options. This means you can add multiple fields using a single operator.

Define the field you want to create or update, using the following format: key=value. For string values, add single or double quotes around the value. For example, employed="yes".

The value part of the key=value expression can also include calculations, conditional expressions, and references to other fields. It can also reference values coming into the argument port, using the alias _arg. For example, this expression that uses a calculation: incomeMonthly=_arg/12. The calculation happens on the input coming into the operator's argument port.

Or this one, that includes a conditional expression, a reference to another field, and a calculation:lowIncome=IF(incomeAnnual<24000,"yes","no"). Conditional expressions should use the following format: key=IF(condition,valueIfTrue,valueIfFalse).

Next, you'll learn how to use the Create Field operator. Here, you'll see how to add the same key/value pairs to every row in a table.

These instructions assume that you have a new module open, saved, and with a title.

Here's how the completed use case looks in the Module Builder:

A static image displaying the Create Field operator completed use case in the Module Builder.

Here's how the completed use case works in Express View, including a peek at the final table in the DevTools Console:

Configure the Data Table Component

First, add a Data Table to hold your key/value pairs.

1. Drag and drop a Dropdown Component Icon Data Table component onto your canvas.
2. In the Property ID and Canvas Label Text fields, enter dtTable.
3. In the data table, enter the following: 
  A B

1

Cammy

32

2

Josephine

41

3

Ammie

22

A static image displaying the Data Table configuration in the Create Field operator use case.

4. Click Save & Close.

Configure the Data Workflow Component

With the Data Table set up, you're ready to use the Create Field operator to add two new key/value pairs to each row.

1. Drag and drop a Data Workflow component onto your canvas, placing it below your Dropdown Component Icon Data Table component.
2. In the Canvas Label Text and Property Name fields, enter dwfCreateField.

Configure the Input Operator

Start by connecting your Data Table to the Data Workflow using an Input operator.

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

Setting

Value

Category

Input

Component

dtTable

Required

Yes

Source

Default

Configure the Create Field Operator

Next, set up the Create Field operator. This operator adds two new key/value pairs to each row (object) of your table (array).

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

Setting

Value

Category

Create Field

Label

employment

Do Not Sanitize Formula

Unchecked (no)

Preserve Argument Type

Unchecked (no)

Field 1

insured="yes"

Field 2

renewalYear=2023

3. Connect the output port (right) of the Input operator to the input port (left) of the Create Field operator.

Configure the First Console Operator

Console operators give you a look inside the action of your Data Workflow. This Console operator shows your data before adding your key/value pairs.

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

Setting

Value

Category

Console

Label

Before Create Field

3. Connect the output port (right) of the Input operator to the input port (left) of this first Console operator.

Configure the Second Console Operator

This Console operator shows your data after adding your key/value pairs.

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

Setting

Value

Category

Console

Label

After Create Field

3. Connect the output port (right) of the Create Field operator to the input port (left) of the After Create Field Console operator.
4. Click Save.

Configure the Button Component

Finally, add a Button to trigger your Data Workflow.

1. Drag and drop a Button component Icon Button component onto your canvas, placing it below your Data Workflow.
2. In the Property ID field, enter btnRunDWF.
3. In the Label Text field, enter Run Create Field.
4. Set the Action Type to Event.
5. In the On Click field, enter dwfCreateField.

Static image showing the Button component's Action Type configuration in the Create Field operator use case.

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

Now, test your Data Workflow. Preview your module in Express View and open the DevTools Console. Click the Run Create Field button and see what displays in the DevTools Console:

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