Search

Adding the Search action A feature that supplies the instructions in a botflow. to a botflow A file that stores the actions and variables designed to automate tasks. selects a list from a target An element within an application Nintex RPA interacts with, such as a button, text field, or checkbox. and searches the list for a list item, folder, or Reckon APS software column.

There are two Selector Tool Feature used to target web browser or desktop applications components for botflow interaction. settings available for the Search action:

Setting Description Use
None Default setting for the Selector tool.
  • Targeting lists.
  • Targeting columns in Reckon APS software.
UIA Targeting Override Setting with UIA Targeting Override selected under the Tools menu on the Menu Bar. Targeting folders.

Using the Search action, you can search a list for a specific list item which then returns a true or false value for if the item exists in the list. For example, you can drag the Selector Tool onto the list of fonts in Notepad and search for the font, Tahoma.

Using the Search action when targeting Reckon APS software, you can target a column in a multi-column document to search for a specific column status. For example, you can drag the Selector Tool onto a list of columns in Reckon APS software to search for a column with a Closed status.

Using the Search action with UIA Targeting Override selected, you can search a list of folders for a specific folder and then expand that folder with a double-click. For example, you can drag the Selector Tool in UIA Targeting Override onto the Windows (C) folder in Windows File Explorer and search for the Users folder.

Add a Search action to a botflow

To add a Search action to a botflow:

  1. Drag the Selector Tool () onto the target application to display the Target Preview. A preview image displays visually confirming what you targeted.
  2. Select Search from the Data actions list. The Action Builder window for Search displays.
  3. Set the Search Options/Settings:
    • Text: Type a search term in the field or use the Expression Builder () to build the action settings using variables or other token values.
    • Start at: Select the search starting point from the drop-down list.
      • First item: Starts the search from the first item in a list.
      • Current item: Starts the search from the currently selected item in a list.
    • Column (only for Reckon APS): If the target has more than one column, the Column field and drop-down list display so that you can select a column to search.
    • Ignore case: Ignores the search term letter case.
    • Ignore surrounding spaces: Ignores any beginning or ending spaces surrounding the search term.
    • Partial match: Returns partial matches based on the search term.
    • Use wildcards: Allows for the use of wild card characters, such as an asterisk (*) or question mark (?), in the search term.
    • Selection (only for Reckon APS): If the target has more than one column, the Selection field and drop-down list display so that you can select a column to search.
    • Interaction: Select the required interaction from the drop-down list:
      • None (available for both UIA Targeting Override and for Reckon APS): Has no interaction. This is useful if you want to search for an item and verify whether or not the item was found.
      • Click: Clicks the search results.
      • Double Click: Double-clicks the search results.
      • Get Value (available for both UIA Targeting Override and for Reckon APS): Retrieves a column value, such as a status. This is useful when the status of a Reckon APS column is needed.
    • Save to: Type a location to save the search results or use the Expression Builder () to build the action settings using variables or other token values.
    • Note: If the Search action fails and the Save to field is blank, the botflow stops.  If you saved the search results in a field or variable, that field or variable is updated with a False value and the botflow continues running.

  4. If needed, adjust the Rules to modify how Nintex RPA finds the application target.
  5. If needed, adjust the Timing Settings to fine tune how the action runs.
  6. View the action Details.
  7. If needed, adjust the Run Switch to add the action without running it.
  8. Optionally, add an action Note.
  9. Click OK to add the Search action to the botflow.

Search action field and button descriptions