Input Switch Operator

The Input Switch operator lets you alternate between two inputs in the same flow of a Data Workflow. To begin, you'll connect two Input-type operators to your Input Switch operator. Then, you'll set a condition for the Input Switch operator to determine which set of input data to use. When your condition is True, the operator chooses the input connected to its upper input port. When your condition is False, the operator chooses the input connected to its lower input port.

You can think of an Input Switch operator as a reverse Decision operator. A Decision operator has two possible paths for your data to follow. The Decision operator uses a condition to determine which path to send your data. In contrast, the Input Switch operator has one possible path with two potential sources of data. The Input Switch operator uses a condition to determine which set of data to send to that path.

Input Switch operators only work in a forward direction. So, the operator cannot update or edit any data passed to it through its input ports.

You’ll find the Input Switch operator under the Gateways group to the left of the Data Workflow canvas.

About the Info Window

Learn more about each setting in the Input Switch operator's Info window:

Adding an Input Switch Operator

Let’s say you have two Text Field components whose data you’ll use from either of them in your Data Workflow component. You can add a set of Radio Buttons components to let your end-user choose which field passes through your Data Workflow. You'll connect both Text Field components as inputs to the Input Switch operator. Then, you'll connect your Radio Buttons component to the argument port of the operator. You'll configure your Data Workflow to display your end-user's selection in a third Text Field component.

This is a simplified example to demonstrate the functionality of this operator. For a more detailed use case, reference our Input Switch Use Case: Creating a Comment Array article.

Configure the Columns Component

Your Columns component acts as a container for the components that follow.

1. Drag and drop a Columns component onto your canvas.

2. In the Property ID field, enter colInputs.

3. Under Formatting, click   (two columns).

                                              

4. Click Save Component.

Configure the Text Field Components

Next, let's add input and output fields to your module. You'll use Text Field components to collect your end-user's name and job title. And you'll use a third Text Field component to show the output of your Data Workflow.

1. Drag and drop three Text Field components onto your canvas, placing them in the left-hand column of the colInputs Columns component.

2. Enter the following Property ID and Label Text for each component:

   Property ID	Label Text
   name	Name
   jobTitle	Job Title
   output	Output

3. Click Save Component as you add and configure them.

Configure the Radio Buttons Component

To let your end-user choose which input they see, you'll add a Radio Buttons component. You'll set this as the argument for your Input Switch in the next step.

1. Drag and drop a Radio Buttons component onto your canvas, placing it in the right-hand column of the colInputs  Columns component.

2. In the Property ID field, enter switchArgument.

3. In the Label Text field, enter Show:.

4. Set your Label and Value as shown below:

   #	Label	Value
   1	Name	name
   2	Job Title	jobTitle

                                              

5. Click Save Component.

Configure the Data Workflow Component

Now, you’ll set your Name and JobTitle Text Field components as inputs for your Input Switch operator. Your switchArgument Radio Buttons component serves as the argument. Then, your Input Switch operator outputs the result to your output Text Field component.

1. Drag and drop a Data Workflow component onto your canvas, placing it below your colInputs Columns component.

2. In the Canvas Label Text and Property Name fields, enter dwfSwitch.

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:

   Setting	Value
   Category	Input
   Component	name
   Required	No
   Source	Default

Configure the Second Input Operator

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

2. Configure the operator's Info window as follows:

   Setting	Value
   Category	Input
   Component	jobTitle
   Required	No
   Source	Default

Configure the Third Input Operator

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

2. Configure the operator's Info window as follows:

   Setting	Value
   Category	Input
   Component	switchArgument
   Required	Yes
   Source	Default

Configure the Input Switch Operator

1. Drag and drop an Input Switch operator onto your Data Workflow canvas.

2. Configure the operator's Info window as follows:

   Setting	Value
   Category	Input Switch
   Label	_arg='name'
   Do Not Sanitize Formula	Yes (checked)
   Preserve Argument Type	Unchecked (no)
   Condition	_arg='name'

3. Connect the output port (right) of the name Input operator to the upper input port (left) of the _arg='name' Input Switch operator.

4. Connect the output port (right) of the jonTitle Input operator to the lower input port (left) of the _arg='name' Input Switch operator.

5. Connect the output port (right) of the switcgArgument Input operator to the argument port (top) of the _arg='name' Input Switch 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:

   Setting	Value
   Category	Output
   Component	output
   Action	value

3. Connect the output port (right) of the _arg='name' Input Switch operator to the input port (left) of the output Output operator.

   

4. Click Save Component.

Configure the Initializer Component

You'll notice this Initializer component performs two operations. First, it clears your output Text Field component so it's ready for a new value each time your Data Workflow runs. Second, it starts the dwfSwitch Data Workflow. You'll add a Button component to trigger your Initializer in the next step.

1. Drag and drop an Initializer component onto your canvas, placing it above your dwfSwitch Data Workflow component.

2. In the Property ID and Canvas Label Text fields, enter initSwitch.

3. Set the Trigger Type as Manual.

4. In the Outputs table, enter the following:

   #	Property ID	Type	Value
   1	output	clear	yes
   2	dwfSwitch	trigger	GO

   

5. Click Save Component.

Configure the Button Component

Lastly, let's add a Button component to begin the operation. When your end-user clicks this button, it triggers your initSwitch Initializer component, which clears your output Text Field component and begins the dwfSwitch Data Workflow.

1. Drag and drop a Button component onto your canvas, placing it between your jobTitle and output Text Field components.

2. In the Property ID field, enter btnSwitch.

3. In the Label Text field, enter Start Input Switch.

4. Under the Action Type, select Event.

5. In the On Click field, enter initSwitch.

   

   This ties your Button component to the Initializer component you'll add in the next step. What you enter here must match the Property ID you assign to that Initializer.

6. Click Save Component.

7. Save your module.

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

Here's how the completed examples looks in Express View:

Now it's time to test your Data Workflow. Preview your module in Express View and enter a name and job title. Then, make a selection from your radio buttons and click the button. You'll see the selected value in your Output field.