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Workflows

A workflow consists of connected tools that perform different functions to process data. Building a workflow involves adding and connecting tools and configuring tools and workflow properties. To build a new workflow, click on the toolbar, or click File > New Workflow.

Workflow connections move in a downstream direction, vertically or horizontally, based on the workflow layout you choose in the workflow Configuration window. See Workflow Configuration.

ClosedAdd or remove tools

To add a tool to a workflow, click any tool from the tool palette and drag it onto the workflow canvas, or right-click the workflow to access a menu to insert tools. See Tool Categories.

To remove a tool from a workflow, select the tool and press the Delete key.

ClosedConnect tools

To connect tools in a workflow, click and drag a tool from the tool palette onto the canvas near the output anchor of another tool. You can also drag the output anchor from an existing tool to the tool you just added.

Connections go in through the left side (or top) of a tool and out through right side (or bottom) of a tool. Some tools accept multiple inputs indicated by multiple input anchors . Some tools have optional inputs indicated by a gray input anchor. All tools with an output anchor can be outputted to multiple streams.

ClosedDelete a connection

Select the connection and press Delete. Downstream tools are not deleted.

ClosedInsert a tool between a connection
  • Right-click the connection and click Insert in Connection, then select a tool.
  • Drag a tool from the tool palette or anywhere on the canvas and hover over an existing connection.
  • Right-click the output anchor and click Insert After, then select a tool.
ClosedConnect multiple tools at once

You can view a list of possible tool connections and make multiple connections at the same time. For example, this is useful for connecting multiple data inputs to a single downstream tool. To make multiple connections:

  1. Select a tool on the canvas. If the tool accepts both an input and output, specifically select the input anchor or output anchor of the tool to determine the list of possible connections to or from that anchor.
  2. Right-click the selected anchor and click View Possible Connections.
  3. In the Possible Connections window, select one or more tools from the Output Connections list to connect to one or more tools from the Input Connections list.
  4. Under Connection Type, select whether to make the connection Wired or Wireless.
  5. Click Connect.

If you view possible connections for multiple selected tools, only valid connections from output to input anchors are shown.

ClosedView connection properties

Double-click any connection to view and modify its properties in the Configuration window:

  • Name: Type a name for the connection.
  • Wireless: Select to set a connection to wireless.
  • Fields: In the table, view data going through the connection.

For wireless connections, a wireless connection icon with colored bars indicates the number of connection coming into or out of an anchor: one bar = one connection; two bars = two connections; three bars = three or more connections. The connection becomes invisible.

ClosedTool options

Click a tool on the canvas to select it, then right-click to display a menu with these options:

ClosedAnnotate a workflow

Add annotations to individual tools in the tool Configuration window > Annotation, or add a Comment tool to the workflow. See Tool Configuration, Comment Tool.

 

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