Editing Task Steps

Overview

Along with the ability to edit the Properties of individual task steps, many adjustments can be performed on any step once they are added to the Task Builder's Steps panel. You can move, indent, disable or delete one or more existing steps. You can perform cut/copy/paste commands as well.

Commands are conveniently located on the Ribbon or by way of a shortcut menu that appears when right-clicking a specific element. Certain ribbon commands become active only when items they apply to are selected, making it easier for you to distinguish relevant commands and avoid selection of unrelated ones.

The Quick Access Toolbar contains Undo and Redo commands that apply to all edit operations allowing you to undo one or more incremental sequence of changes in case you make a mistake or redo them in case you change your mind.

ClosedEditing step properties

The properties of any task step can be easily viewed or modified once it is added to Task Builder's Steps panel. For convenience, step properties can be accessed in various ways.

To view or modify the properties of a step

In the Steps panel of Task Builder, double-click the step to modify, or select the step in the panel and then select Edit from Home tab of the ribbon.

ClosedMoving steps

Steps can be moved freely within the Steps panel. You can modify the sequence at which steps execute by moving them above or below other steps. Task Builder supports movement of multiple sequenced steps (for example, steps 3, 4, and 5) as well as multiple non-sequenced steps (for example, steps 3, 6 and 8). For convenience, such operations can be performed in various ways.

To move steps using the Move Up or Move Down commands

  1. In the Steps panel of Task Builder, select the steps you want to move up or down. To select more than one step, hold down CTRL during selection.

  2. On the Step tab of the ribbon, select the Move Up or Move Down button.

To move steps using Cut and Paste commands

  1. In the Steps panel of Task Builder, select the steps you want to move up or down the step sequence. To select more than one step, hold down CTRL during selection.
  2. On the Step tab of the ribbon, select Cut (you can also use CTRL+X) .
  3. Select a desired location in the Steps panel, and then select Paste from the ribbon (you can also use CTRL+V).

To move steps using Drag & Drop actions

  1. In the Steps panel of Task Builder, select the steps you want to move up or down the step sequence. To select specific steps or a block of steps, hold down CTRL during selection.
  2. Hold down the left mouse button while dragging the highlighted steps to the desired location, then release the mouse button to complete the operation.

ClosedIndenting steps

You can increase or decrease indentation of one or more steps as a way to organize your steps. Task Builder supports indentation of multiple sequenced steps (for example, steps 3, 4 and 5) as well as multiple non-sequenced steps (for example, steps 3, 6 and 8).

To increase or decrease indentation

  1. In the Steps panel of Task Builder, select the steps to increase or decrease their current indentation. To select a block of sequenced steps or specific non-sequenced steps, hold down CTRL during selection.

  2. On the Step tab of the ribbon, select the Decrease Indent (left arrow) or Increase Indent (right arrow) arrows.

NOTE: Left justification of an indented step is based on the parent step (if relevant) and the default indentation settings applied by way of Task  Builder Options - Formatting.

To reset indentation

  1. In the Steps panel of Task Builder, select the steps that should be reverted back to their original indentation level. To select a block of sequenced steps or specific non-sequenced steps, hold down CTRL during selection.

  2. On the Step tab of the ribbon, select the Reset Indent icon. Hold down the left mouse button while dragging the highlighted steps to the desired location, then release the mouse button to complete the operation.

You can reset one or more steps to their default indentation level. From the ribbon's Step command group, click the Format Steps command. This enables/disables auto-formatting of steps. When enabled, blocks of steps contained within a conditional (If) statement or Loop process are formatted (indented) to improve distinction (this command is enabled by default).

ClosedDisabling, enabling, or deleting task steps

Steps of a task can be disabled or re-enabled to use or test different versions of the same task. The Disable button on the ribbon or shortcut menu acts as a toggle to disable an enabled step or re-enable a disabled step. When a step is disabled, it appears dimmed by default in the Steps panel and it is treated as a comment and ignored when the task runs.

To disable or enable a task step

  1. In the Steps panel of the Task Builder, select the steps you want to disable. To select more than one step, hold down CTRL during selection.

  2. On the Step tab of the ribbon, select Disable (you can also right-click on the steps, and then select Disable).

NOTE: To re-enable, follow the same instructions.

To delete a task step

  1. In the Steps panel, select the step or steps you wish to delete. To select more than one step, hold down CTRL during selection.
  2. Right-click on your selection, and then select Delete (you can also use the Delete key).

ClosedStep numbers & Word Wrap

By default, the Steps panel displays numbers to represent each step in the task are displayed for each step in the Task Builder's Steps panel along with an icon designating the type of action used. Also the text (or AML code) that appears in this panel is word wrapped by default allowing all text to be visible in the window regardless of its size. Nonetheless, these options can be customized according to each user's preference.

To turn Word Wrap on/off

On the Layout tab of the ribbon, select Word Wrap to turn Word Wrap on or off in the Steps panel.

To display/hide step numbers

On the Layout tab of the ribbon, select Step Numbers to hide or display step numbers in the Steps panel.

ClosedSwitching from Visual to the AML view

The Task Builder offers two ways in which to view the steps of a task. The default appearance displays a plain-English, easy to comprehend text description of each step. They can also be displayed in AML (Automation Markup Language) format, which is the internal program language encompassed in Automate Desktop. When set to this view, those who understand AML can edit their code directly from the Task Builder's Steps panel or copy the code onto an external text editor such as Notepad.

To switch from Plain Text to AML or AML to Plain Text

On the Home tab of the ribbon, select AML to display the AML code view or Visual to display the plain text view.

 

To edit code in the AML view

  1. From the Steps panel, select the step to edit.
  2. Click the step again to make the code editable.
  3. Make the desired changes.

ClosedUndoing/redoing changes

To enable task development to be as simple and painless as possible, an Undo and Redo command is included on the Quick Access Toolbar. Undo reverses the last action you performed, and Redo undoes the last Undo action, in case you change your mind. Task Builder keeps track of all previously performed actions, therefore, you can reverse the actions you performed one action at a time, in reverse consecutive order, up to and including the first action.

To undo changes

Click the Undo command on the Quick Access Toolbar or press CTRL + Z. Undo reverses the last editing action. If you delete one or more steps, you can use Undo to restore them and all their properties. You can perform as many Undo actions as you like.

To redo a change after an undo

Click the Redo command on the Quick Access Toolbar or press CTRL + Y. This restores the last action you performed if no other actions have occurred since the last Undo. The Redo button is normally inactive and becomes active only if an Undo is performed.