New text functions in WEBCON BPS 2021

Applies to version 2021.1.1; author: Konrad Wojtycza

Introduction

In WEBCON BPS 2021, the form rules have been enhanced with new functions operating on text such as:

• CONCAT - combines two or more text strings into one text
• SPLIT - splits the provided text into parts, according to a specified separator. The function returns strings separated by semicolons ‘;’ (default separator). If no separator is found in the provided text, the function will result in one line of text.
• INDEX OF – searches the provided text and returns the position where the specified string first occurs. Searching will start from the indicated position; the position of the first character is 1.

This article presents the configuration and operation of the functions mentioned above on the form created for this purpose.

Configuration of the CONCAT function

To explain how to use the CONCAT function, we have created four text form fields on the form. The content of the Text 1,2,3 form fields is combined using the CONCAT function and displayed in the Concat(Text 1,2,3) form field.

Fig. 1. The operation of the CONCAT function

In the CONCAT function configuration, you must provide input values that will be combined into one string. By default, these values are combined without spaces, so in the presented configuration, each Text form field was separated by a process constant containing a space.

CONCAT[[Text][ Text][Text][Text]]

Fig. 2. Sample configuration of the CONCAT form rule

The CONCAT function can work dynamically on the form, i.e., it can be executed after each change in the value of the Text 1, 2, 3 form fields; it can also work statically, e.g., when the form goes from one step to another (on a path)or  when a button is clicked.

For the function to work dynamically, in the “Style and behavior” tab we have added a rule that sets the value of the Concat(Text 1,2,3) field on value change of the individual form fields.

Fig. 3. The rule that sets the value of the Concat(Text 1,2,3) field on value change
 

Configuration of the SPLIT function

Below we can see that the string created by the CONCAT function has been separated with semicolons using the SPLIT function in the Split(Concat(Text 1,2,3) field.

Fig. 4. The operation of the SPLIT function

In the SPLIT function configuration, provide the text that should be separated by the semicolon, and the character to be replaced with the separator (space).

SPLIT [[Text] [The character to be replaced with the separator]]

Fig. 5. Sample configuration of the SPLIT function

The SPLIT function can also work dynamically on the form or statically – after the form goes from one step to another (on a path) or when a button is clicked.

For the function to work dynamically, add the following rule in the "Style and bevahior" tab:

Fig. 6. The rule that clears the value of the Split(Text 1,2,3) field on value change

In the case of the SPLIT function, it is not possible to change the default separator, i.e. the semicolon. If you want to change the semicolon to another character, you can use the STRING REPLACE function (Fig. 7, Fig.8).

Fig. 7. The example configuration of the STRING REPLACE function

Fig. 8. The result of the STRING REPLACE function

Configuration of the INDEX OF function

In the “Searched word” field, enter the string you want to search for in the provided text (the “Text” field). In the “Start a position” field, indicate the search's start position (index of the character from which the search will begin).

Fig. 9. The operation of the INDEX OF function

INDEX OF [[Text] [Search string] [Search start position]]

Fig. 10. Sample configuration of the INDEX OF function

As in the case of the previous functions, the INDEX OF function can be invoked dynamically on the form, or after following the path, selecting a button in the form menu, etc.