Create a custom action to generate an object from a record

  • Release version: Xanadu
  • Updated August 1, 2024
  • 2 minutes to read

    • Generate an object from a User record. Learn how to use an Action output to create an object from record values.

    Before you begin

    Role required: admin

    About this task

    Use this example to see demonstrations of these operations and steps.
    • Create action inputs for the User record fields First name, Last name, and Email.
    • Lookup a User record matching the action input values.
    • Create an action output for a contact object.
    • Save the contact object as a template.
    • Map contact object values to User record field values.
    • Test the action with a sample user.

    Procedure

    1. Create an application to store your work.
      Use the Guided Application Creator.
      For example, create My Application.
    2. Navigate to Process Automation > Flow Designer.
      The system displays the Workflow Studio landing page.
    3. Select New > Action
      The system displays the Action Properties dialog.
    4. Enter these sample values.
      Field Value
      Name Create Contact Object From User
      Application My Application
      Accessible From All application scopes
    5. Select Submit.
      The system displays the Workflow Studio interface.
    6. From the Action Outline, select Inputs > Create Input
      The system displays a new action input.
    7. Configure the action input with these values.
      Field Value
      Label First name
      Type String
      Mandatory True
    8. From the Action Outline, select Inputs > Create Input
      The system displays a new action input.
    9. Configure the action input with these values.
      Field Value
      Label Last name
      Type String
      Mandatory True
    10. From the Action Outline, select Inputs > Create Input
      The system displays a new action input.
    11. Configure the action input with these values.
      Field Value
      Label Email address
      Type String
      Mandatory False
    12. From Action Outline, select Outputs > Create Output.
      The system displays a new action ouput.
    13. Configure the output variable with these values.
      Label Name Type Mandatory
      contact contact Object False
    14. From the row for the contact Object, select Add Child Item.
    15. Configure the child item with these values.
      Label Name Type Mandatory
      First name first_name String True
    16. From the row for the contact Object, select Add Child Item.
    17. Configure the child item with these values.
      Label Name Type Mandatory
      Last name last_name String True
    18. From the row for the contact Object, select Add Child Item.
    19. Configure the child item with these values.
      Label Name Type Mandatory
      Email address email_address String False
    20. From the row for the contact Object, select Toggle Advanced Inputs.
    21. From the Advanced Options, select Save As Template.
      The system displays the Save As Template dialog.
    22. For Enter a Name, enter contact.
    23. Click Save.
    24. Select Exit Edit Mode.
      The System displays the output fields you created.
    25. Configure the outputs with these values.
      Label Value
      First name [step->Look Up Record step->Record->First name]
      Last name [step->Look Up Record step->Record->Last name]
      Email Address [step->Look Up Record step->Record->Email]
      Note:
      You can select data pills from the data panel or from the Data Pill Picker button.
    26. Select Save.
    27. Select Test.
      The system displays the Test Action dialog.
    28. Enter these test values.
      Input Value
      First name Abel
      Last name Tuter
    29. Select Run Test.
      The system runs the action with the test values provided.
    30. Select Action has executed. To view the action, click here.
      The system displays the action execution details.
    31. Review the runtime value for the action Output data.
      The system displays output data in JSON format.
      For example, sample contact object JSON for the user Abel Tuter.
      {
    "contact": {
        "email_address": "abel.tuter@example.com",
        "last_name": "Tuter",
        "first_name": "Abel"
    }
}

    Result

    You have a custom action that looks up a User record and converts it into a contact object.

    What to do next

    Customize the action to use your own logic.