Input Switch Operator

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

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

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

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

About the Info Window

Here's what the Input Switch operator looks like, along with its Info window:

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

Adding an Input Switch Operator

To show the Input Switch operator in action, let's look at a simple example. Say you have two Text Fields, and you can use data from either of them in your Data Workflow. You can add a set of Radio Buttons to let your end-user choose which field runs through your Data Workflow. You'll connect both Text Fields as inputs to an Input Switch. Then, you'll connect your Radio Buttons to the argument port of the Input Switch. You'll configure your Data Workflow to show your end-user's selection in a third Text Field.

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.

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

Here's how the completed use case will look in Express View:

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 & Close.

Configure the Text Field Components

Next, let's add input and output fields to your module. You'll use Text Fields to collect your end-user's name and job title. And you'll use a third Text Field 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 & Close 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 Option Label and Value to Store in Submission Data as shown below:

   #	Option Label	Value to Store in Submission Data
   1	Name	name
   2	Job Title	jobTitle

                                              

5. Click Save & Close.

Configure the Data Workflow Component

Now, let's add your Data Workflow. You'll set your Name and Job Title fields as inputs for your Input Switch operator. Your Radio Buttons component serves as the argument. Then, your Input Switch outputs the result to your Output Text Field.

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 Input Switch operator.

4. Connect the output port (right) of the jobTitle Input operator to the lower input port (left) of the Input Switch operator.

5. Connect the output port (right) of the switchArgument Input operator to the argument port (top) of the 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 Input Switch operator to the input port (left) of the Output operator.

4. Click Save.

Configure the Initializer Component

You'll notice this Initializer component performs two operations. First, it clears your Output Text Field so it's ready for a new value each time your Data Workflow runs. Second, it starts the 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 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 & Close.

Configure the Button Component

Lastly, let's add a Button component to start the whole operation. When your end-user clicks this button, they'll trigger your Initializer. The Initializer then clears your Output Text Field and starts your 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. Set the Action Type to 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 & Close.

7. Save your module.

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 your button. You'll see the selected value in your Output field.

Resources

• You can view this complete use case here: https://training.unqork.io/#/form/602be72d13f5fb03d3e22a15/edit.

• Modify the Decision operator in the Data Workflow's configuration window.