Overview
In this exercise, we will create a Chain that illustrates how to download the most recent file from an HTTP source and load into Wdesk.
Primary Learning Objective | This exercise is designed to highlight the loading of data from a data file into Workiva. |
Secondary Learning Objectives | This exercise also highlights using the HTTP BizApp and passing variables from one chain to another. |
Prerequisites | |
Supporting Template |
Step 1: Create a Chain
From the OneCloud Home, select the "DEV" Environment.
Add a new Chain by selecting the green (+) button.
Name the Chain "Load data to Wdesk".
Add a variable "base-url" with the value:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/onecloud-demo
💡 Copy the above URL and paste into the variable field.Add an email Chain Notification by clicking the message icon.
Set the condition to "Success".
Add recipients by selecting from the drop-down list.
📓 Only receipts who have access to the chain can be added.
Save the Chain.
Step 2: Start with Command Group
Set "Command Group" as the starting Command.
In the Available BizApp section, select "Command Group".
💡 Use the Find tool to search for "Command Group.
Double-click the icon, which will auto-load the Command into the Chain Start circle.
📓 Alternatively, click-and-drag the icon onto the pallet. Then move the icon in the Chain Start circle. The Chain Start will show a plus (+) icon indicating that the command may be placed at the start of the Chain.
Step 3: Add a Command to Retrieve Data
Add a data retrieval Command.
In the Available BizApp section, select HTTP ➡️ GET.
💡 Use the Find tool to search for "HTTP" and then search for "GET".Add the Command GET by clicking-and-dragging the icon onto the pallet.
Connect the Commands.
Rename the Retrieve Data Command "Get Transactions", by double-clicking it.
Under "Basic Info", type "Get Transactions".
Scroll down to input the URL to be used in the GET Command.
Use the variable selector and choose the chain variable "base-url" by clicking on the icon (< >).
Add the character "/".
Next use the variable selector again and add the Workspace Variable "data-type".
Add the character "/".
Finally, add the filename "SAMPLE_TRANS.csv"
Click save.
📓 On String Concatenation:
To concatenate strings in a OneCloud field, be sure to have the field selected and simply add the characters or variables as required.
Step 4: Add a Command to Preview the Data
Add the command File Utilities ➡️ List File Content to the canvas.
Connect the two Commands.
Double-click the "List File Content" Command to make some changes.
Give the Command the name: "Preview Data".
Set the File Name to the Response
From the left-side panel, select the 🔽 to the right of "Get Transactions", then choose "Response" under "Command Details".
Set the Preview Lines parameter to 15.
Save the Command.
📓 If there is no Connection listed when editing the Command, back out to the Connections tab on the left-side panel. Select the File Utilities 🔽 , click "Edit", and enable the Connection Environment for Sample Workspace for Workiva.
Step 5: Create Workiva Spreadsheet
Create a Workiva Spreadsheet in Wdesk to load the retrieved transaction data.
Add the command Workiva ➡️ Create Spreadsheet.
💡 Search for the Workiva BizApp, click it, then scroll down to the Spreadsheets subcategory.
Click-and-drag the Command to the canvas.
Connect the "Create Spreadsheet" Command to "Create Spreadsheet".
Rename the Command: "Create Workiva Spreadsheet".
In the Name field, enter "SAMPLE_TRANS_" and then use the picklist on left-side panel to variable picklist to concatenate the Chain.ExecutorId.
💡 Runtime 🔽 Chain.ExecutorId
Save the changes.
📓 Adding the system variable Chain Executor ID, guarantees that the creation of the spreadsheet will be unique.
Step 6: Create Workiva Sheet
Add a sheet to the Workiva Spreadsheet that was created in the previous step.
Add the command Workiva ➡️ Create Sheet.
💡 Search for the Workiva BizApp, click it, then scroll down to the Spreadsheets subcategory.
Click-and-drag the Command to the canvas.
Connect the "Create Spreadsheet" Command to "Create Sheet".
Give the command the name: "Create Workiva Sheet".
In the Spreadsheet ID field, use the variable selection and the ID value under Spreadsheet Metadata.
In the Name field add a name. In the example, use "TRANSACTIONS".
Save the changes.
❓ How do I get the Spreadsheet ID?
The Workiva spreadsheet ID is in the URL of the page when logged into Workiva Wdata.
Step 7: Load Spreadsheet Data
Add the Overwrite Sheet Data Command to the Chain.
Choose Workiva ➡️ Spreadsheets ➡️ Overwrite Sheet Data.
💡 Search for the Workiva BizApp, click it, then scroll down to the Spreadsheets subcategory.
Click-and-drag the Command to the canvas.
Connect the "Create Spreadsheet" Command to "Create Sheet".
Use the variable selection tool on the left-side panel to:
Add a Spreadsheet ID value
Command 🔽 Create Workiva Spreadsheet 🔽 Spreadsheet Metadata 🔽 "Id"
Add a Sheet ID value
Command 🔽 Create Workiva Sheet 🔽 Sheet Metadata 🔽 "Id"
Command 🔽 Get Transactions 🔽 Command Details 🔽 "Response"
⚠️ Be sure to choose the correct IDs.
Use comma as the delimiter.
Save the changes
Step 8: Publish & Run the Chain
Publishing is an important feature in OneCloud. Chains must be published, before they can be run. A Chain and its respective Commands will not be executed otherwise. Whether making one alteration or many, the Chain must be published every time a Chain or Command is edited.
Publish ➡️ Execute ➡️ Run Chain.
To publish a Chain, click "Publish" near the upper-right corner.
Optionally, add a Publish Chain Comment. For this example, leave it blank.
Once published, the "Execute" button becomes active. Click it.
Once executed, the "Run Chain" button is activated. Click it.
The Chain will animated when it is running.
Click on the Anaplan Upload File Command.
When the Chain has been run, the outputs will be available to view.
📚 Related Topics from this Section:
Workspace (Configuration) Variables
File Utilities Command - List File Content