Operation of the Workflow Builder 

Use

You need these functions for the following activities:

·        Adding, reassigning, or removing steps in a workflow definition.

·        Processing steps

·        Checking, testing, or printing the workflow definition.

·        Processing another workflow definition

·        Processing objects in the object area

Features

If not otherwise specified, you will find these entries in the context menu of a selected step or outbox.

To select all nodes of the current block, choose Menu ® Edit ® Block ® Select All Nodes in Block.

Block operations: Cut, copy, paste, delete

The functions always refer to the complete block in which the selected step or outcome is located, including all subordinate blocks in the hierarchy. Therefore, always consider the scope of a block. Loops and forks, in particular, can cover large sections of your workflow definition. If necessary, choose the Technical Groups graphic in the Workflow Builder Options to see which steps are in the block.

Quick block operations: Copy and move with Drag&Drop

You can also copy or move a block by using Drag&Drop. To do so, select the required step and choose  (Quick block operation). The cursor takes the shape of a pencil. Drag the step to the required position. In the dialog window you can specify whether you want to copy the step or move it. To quit the quick block operation, click the background.

Functions for changing, creating, and displaying a step

You can only change or delete an outcome in the step definition of the preceding step. If you choose Change for an outcome, only the name is changed.

If you choose Change or Display, you go to the step definition.

If you want to change the step type of the step, you must delete the old step and insert a new step of the desired step type. To change an undefined step into another step type, select the undefined step by double-clicking and choose the new step type.

For more information, see Creating Steps.

Undoing changes

You can undo up to ten changes. Select  and the action up to which you want to undo changes from the list.

Restoring changes

You can restore changes that have been undone. Choose .

Where-used list

The Workflow Builder has the following where-used lists:

·        You can generate a where-used list for container elements of the workflow container and for document templates. To do this, you select the container element or the document template in the object area and choose Where-used list in the context menu. All nodes in which the object is used are listed in the message area. From here you can branch to the relevant step definition by double-clicking on a usage.

·        You can create a where-used list for tasks and workflows listed in the My Workflows and Tasks area. To do this, you select the task or workflow and choose Where-used list in the context menu. All workflow definitions in which the task is used within a step definition are displayed.

·        If you choose Goto ® Where-Used List, an overview showing in which workflows this workflow is used as a sub-workflow is displayed.

Processing steps in the navigation area

You can display the step definition for all steps displayed in the navigation area. You can edit definitions in change mode.

Processing container element and document templates in the object area

You can display container elements of the workflow container and document templates. Besides the workflow system elements in the workflow container, you can change all container elements. For more information on processing container elements, see Definition of Workflow Container. When you create a new document template, the application last used for a document template is started. Choose  Change document type to start another application. For more information, see Creating Document Templates.

All versions are affected by changes to interface elements.

Checking the workflow definition

You select  to check the workflow definition. All problems recognized are classified as errors or warnings and are output in the message area. You can process the step in which the error occurs if you double-click on the message. Workflow definitions that contain errors cannot be activated. For more information, see Versions of a Workflow Definition. You also start the test of the workflow definition from the display mode. The displayed version of the workflow definition is used for the test.

Testing the workflow definition

You select  to execute the workflow definition on a test basis. This classifies the workflow automatically as a general task and saves and activates it. If no error occurred, the workflow is started in dialog. For more information, see Testing Workflows.

Printing the workflow definition

For more information, see Print Workflow Definition.

Processing another workflow definition

In the Workflow Builder, you can go directly into the processing of another workflow definition.

If the workflow definition that you want to process is displayed in the object area, select it and choose Load workflow definition in the context menu. If it is not displayed, enter the workflow ID in the information area or use the F4 input help.