Passing Data Across ZBrain Flow Steps
ZBrain flows are designed to streamline the movement of data between different steps in a process. Data is produced by one step and passed to the next, ensuring that each stage has the information needed to continue the workflow.
Data Flow Overview
ZBrain Flow is represented by a series of steps that are connected vertically. The flow begins with a trigger step and proceeds through multiple action steps, each performing specific tasks. As the data progresses through the flow, it is passed from one step to the next, ensuring that subsequent steps have the necessary data to execute their actions.
Trigger Step: The first step in any flow, responsible for initiating the process. Some triggers may not produce data, like time-based triggers (e.g., schedules), but most triggers will generate data used in subsequent steps.
Action Steps: These are the subsequent steps in the flow. They rely on the data from earlier steps to perform their actions. After executing their tasks, action steps can produce new data, which is available for use in the subsequent steps of the flow.
Final Step: The last step in the flow uses data from the previous steps but does not have any further steps to pass data to. However, this step can still perform crucial tasks like summarizing or reporting results.
Data to Insert Panel
To incorporate data produced by earlier steps into your current step, ZBrain provides an intuitive way to insert the data where needed:
Accessing the Data to Insert Panel
Click on any input field in the current step where you wish to use data from a prior step. This action will open the Data to Insert panel.
The panel will display a list of all accessible data from previous steps in the flow.
Navigating the Panel
The panel shows a list of accessible data from prior steps. To view more detailed information about any data item, click the dropdown arrow next to an entry. This will reveal additional properties or nested data that you can use.
Browse through the list to find the data you need, then click on the item to insert it into the current step's input field.
3. Inserting Data
Once you select a data item, it is inserted directly into the current input field at the position of your cursor.
This enables the combination of static text (predefined information) and dynamic data (denoted by x - variables from previous steps), enhancing workflow flexibility and enabling more personalized, context-driven operations.
Best Practices for Data Insertion
To ensure a smooth and error-free experience when inserting data, consider the following best practices:
Expand Data Items: Always click the dropdown to expand data items before inserting them. This ensures you fully understand the type of data available and helps determine whether it fits the input field you are working with.
Verify Compatibility: Before inserting data into a field, double-check that it matches the expected format and aligns with the intended use of that field. This helps ensure consistency and prevents errors in the flow, keeping your process efficient and reliable.
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