For Loop Event
The For Loop Event enables you to run a mini workflow multiple times, either based on a numerical range or by iterating over a dataset. This event is perfect for automating repetitive tasks, such as processing a list of items or performing an operation over a series of values.
Overview
The For Loop Event allows you to define loops that execute a set of actions repeatedly. You can configure loops to run over a range of numbers or an array from previous workflow nodes. After setting the loop, you can design the mini workflow that will execute each time the loop iterates.
Configuring the For Loop Event
1. Title & Description
To start configuring the For Loop Event, give your loop a Title and a brief Description. This helps identify the purpose of the loop in your workflow.
- Title: The name of your loop.
- Description: A short explanation of the loop’s purpose.
2. Choose Loop Type
Next, choose the type of loop you'd like to configure:
Loop Types:
- Range Iteration Loop: Loop through a range of numbers.
- Data Iteration Loop: Loop through an array from a previous node.
3. Range Iteration Loop Configuration
If you selected Range Iteration Loop, you will need to define the following parameters:
| Field | Description | Example Input |
|---|---|---|
| Start Condition | The starting number for the loop. | Static: 1, Previous Node: {start_value}, Variable: {{start_num}} |
| End Condition | The ending number for the loop. | Static: 100, Previous Node: {end_value}, Variable: {{end_num}} |
| Operator | Defines when the loop should stop. Options include Less Than or Less Than or Equal To. | Less Than / Less Than or Equal To |
| Conditional Interval | The interval between each iteration, or the step size. | Static: 1, Previous Node: {step_size}, Variable: {{step_interval}} |
Example: If you set Start Condition to 1, End Condition to 100, and Interval to 2, the loop will run from 1 to 100, incrementing by 2 on each iteration (i.e., 1, 3, 5, etc.).
4. Data Iteration Loop Configuration
For Data Iteration Loop, you will loop through an array that was passed from a previous node. Here's how to set it up:
| Field | Description | Example Input |
|---|---|---|
| Data Source | Select the array of data to loop through. | {array_data_from_node} (e.g., an array of customer names or records) |
Example: If the Data Source is a list of customer records, each iteration will process one record from the array.
5. For Loop Workflow Configuration
Once the loop type is chosen and configured, click Configure For Loop to open the mini workflow builder.
- In the builder, you’ll see a Start Node and an End Node that represent the beginning and end of your loop.
- Drag and drop actions between these nodes to define the actions that will be executed on each iteration.
- After setting up the loop actions, click Save to finalize the workflow configuration.
Example: For each iteration, you can define actions like sending emails, updating records, or processing data.
6. Actions After Configuration
Once your loop is configured, you have two options:
- Run Loop: This triggers the loop and executes the mini workflow for each iteration.
- Cancel: Discards the loop configuration.
Example Scenarios
Scenario 1: Sending Notifications to Users
In this example, you have a list of users and want to send a notification to each one. Here’s how you’d configure the Data Iteration Loop:
- Data Source: Select the array of user records.
- Mini Workflow: Define the action to send a notification email to each user.
Scenario 2: Processing Orders
You want to process orders in batches of 100. Here’s how you’d configure the Range Iteration Loop:
- Start Condition: Set to 1.
- End Condition: Set to 100.
- Mini Workflow: Add actions to update order status for each iteration.
Example: For each iteration, an order can be updated with new data, and you can perform multiple tasks on each order.
Why Use the For Loop Event?
- Automate Repetitive Tasks: Run the same actions multiple times with varying data or ranges.
- Flexible Iteration Options: Loop by range or over dataset values, making the workflow adaptable to different use cases.
- Efficient Batch Processing: Great for handling tasks in batches, such as sending emails or updating records for large datasets.
Final Thoughts
The For Loop Event is a powerful tool for automating repetitive tasks in your workflow. Whether you are processing a list of items or iterating through numerical ranges, this event allows you to define the flow of tasks efficiently. By combining it with the mini workflow builder, you can create complex automation logic that runs in iterations.