Open App

The Open App action starts a specific application.

Note: The Actions Quick Reference provides a complete list of actions that you can print for easy reference.

Creating an Open App action

  1. Drag and drop the Target Selector onto the title bar of the application.

    The Target Preview opens.

  2. Select the Open App action.

    The Action Builder opens.

  3. Click Rules to modify how Nintex Bot finds the target.

  4. Configure the timing and error settings to adjust how the action will run.

    Note: For more information about the timing and error settings, go to Action Builder.

  5. Note that the application Name is automatically populated.

  6. (Optional) Modify the Path. This field is also automatically populated.

  7. (Optional) Specify any Options or command line parameters to be used when the Open App action is executed.

  8. Select an If running option to specify what to do if another instance of the application is already running:

    • Do not launch. If you select this option, the Open App action will not open the application if it is already running.

    • Launch again. If you select this option, the Open App action will open another instance of the application, regardless of how many running instances there are.

  9. Select a Search Method option to specify the method to use to determine if an application was already running before Nintex Bot attempts to launch another instance of it:

    • Quick (default). If you select this option, Nintex Bot conducts a quick and efficient search for the application using the application's name.

    • Extended. Select this option when the Quick search is failing and erroneously starting a second search. If you select this option, Nintex Bot conducts a quick search and then if no running instance of the application is found, it conducts an extended search through every process running, opens the modules, and compares them to the full path and executable to verify that they are running. This search method is more accurate, but very time consuming.

    • Custom. Select this option if you are an experienced user who knows how to get the process name that you are using and force a quick search using that name. Generally, you can get the process name by opening the Task Manager and viewing the details. Use the application name that you find in the details and remove the file extension.

  10. If you selected a Custom search method, choose the Custom name of the application (remove the file extension).

  11. (Optional) Add Notes to document any special instructions or functionality.

  12. Set the Run switch.

    Note: The run switch is set to Run by default. To create or modify this action without executing it, click the slider to change the option to Don't Run.  For more information, go to Action Builder.

  13. Click OK to save the action and run it, if it is set to run.