1.08 Mappings and Connectors

Owned by Zoe Baldwin
Last updated: Sept 04, 2024
5 min read

What are Connectors?

Connectors are the arrows used in Actionflows to connect Action Nodes together, denote the flow of data and specify which data is mapped at each point within the Actionflow.

Connecting Action Nodes

  1. Hover your mouse pointer over an action node on the canvas
  2. On the popup connector icon, select out
  3. To connect to a new action node, click onto the empty canvas and select which type of action you require from the popup toolbar
  4. To connect to an existing action node, click onto the existing action node

What are Mappings?

We use mappings where we want to use data in an action node. All data from the input is passed through all action nodes* in the Actionflow, therefore only the attributes that require editing need to be mapped.

*there can be exceptions, e.g. Converge action, Wait action.

Connectors link action nodes together, and facilitate the mapping of data from the Output Attributes of one action node to the Input Parameters of another.  

All Inputs to the Connection Point and all Output Attributes (from previous action nodes in the flow) are available for mapping but only the specific Output Attributes mapped into the Input Parameters of an action node can be used by it. 

The Mappings window opens when two action nodes are connected, and can also be opened by clicking on the connector between two action nodes or by right-clicking and selecting  Open Mappings.

Understanding the Mapping Window 

Attributes are mapped via connectors using the Mapping window.

 1. Data Selection

This option appears when connecting a multi-record data-bound component, such as a grid or a card component. The user can define what data to bring into the Actionflow. The options include

  • Edited Records: All records the user edits 
  • Selected Records: The user selected records on the grid or card component
  • Page: The entire page of the grid, card component or form.
  • Dragged Records: Records that are dragged by the user
  • Drop Target Records: Records that are dropped onto by the user
 2. Mappings Options

Contains buttons to quickly map attributes from the source to target and to clear any mappings already present.

 3. Output Source

Displays the source output details in the form source name > connector name.

 4. Output Attributes

Displays the attributes available from the output. The attribute name, source and data type are displayed. Attributes can be created here on some action nodes using .

 5. Mappings

The lines represent which output attribute is mapped to which input parameter. Output attributes can be mapped to multiple target attributes but input parameters can only be mapped to one output attribute.

 6. Input Target

Displays the target input details in the form target name > connector name. 

 7. Input Parameters

Displays the attributes available from the input. These attributes can be created in multiple ways:

  • Using 
  • Dragging output attributes into the Create Additional Mappings area on the mappings window. This maps the attributes automatically.
 8. Create Additional Mappings

This option allows additional mappings to be created by dragging attributes into the empty space on the right to create a new input parameter.

 9. Confirmation Buttons

Closes the popup once mapping has been completed by the user.

Creating Mappings

Mappings are created by dragging and dropping attributes from the Output Attributes (left) of one action node to the Input Parameters (right) of another.  

Additional mappings can be created by dropping attributes into the dotted area on the Mappings window, and mappings can be deleted by right-clicking.

Attributes can be edited from the Mappings window by right-clicking the attribute name. 

Connecting and Disconnecting Action Nodes

Inserting Action Nodes between existing Action Nodes

Action nodes can be inserted into existing connections and mappings will be retained, although these should be checked.

  1. Click and drag the action node you wish to insert and hover over the existing connector
  2. Drop the action node when the  icon appears
  3. PhixFlow will merge the action node into the existing connection
  4. Any mappings already set on the connector will remain in place between the newly inserted action node and the next action node in the flow
    1. In the example below, the Invoices connector and mappings moves from between the Insert (Calculate) and Open Invoices (Open Screen) action nodes, to between the Save and Open Invoices (Open Screen) action nodes   

Disconnecting Action Nodes

Individual action nodes can be disconnected from an Actionflow, without disconnecting the surrounding action nodes.

  1. Right-click on a action node and choose Disconnect
  2. PhixFlow extracts the action node from the connection and reconnects the surrounding action nodes
  3. Any mappings on the connector between the disconnected action node and the next action node in the flow will transfer to the new connector
    1. In the example below, the Invoices connector moves from between the Save and Open Invoices (Open Screen) action nodes, to between the Insert(Calculate) and Open Invoices (Open Screen) action nodes   

Removing Connectors

  1. Right-click on a connector and choose Remove Connector
  2. A red plink appears on the successive action nodes to indicate they are no longer connected