Add an Advanced Task

Advanced Task Processing

The position of elements in an Advanced task determines the processing flow of the task:

• Elements are processed from top to bottom.
• Elements that are inline (left aligned, rather than indented) are considered independent elements, which means processing is completed for one before moving on to the next.
• An element that is indented under a File Loop is processed for each file in the list of source files.
• An element that is indented under a Conditional branch (If Block) is executed only if the specified conditions are met.
• You can move elements within an Advanced Task without the need to create or delete elements.

  To move an element, use the drag-and-drop option.

Configure an Advanced task

1. On the TASKS tab select New Task from the Add Task drop-down list.
2. Enter the task name in the Friendly Name field.
   Note: If starting a task using the Java or Windows API, ensure that the task name does not exceed 254 characters. If the task name exceeds this limit, the Task ID should be used to start the task.
3. Select the Advanced Task type.
4. To save and open the new task, click Add Task.
5. To run the task automatically, click Schedule and select the required options. Tasks with or without schedules can be run manually.
6. To add your first step, hover over the arrow icon to display the insert step icon. Click the insert step button and select from the list of elements.
7. To add additional steps, hover over the arrow icon at the location where you want to add the step. Click the insert step button.

A task must be correctly configured before it can be processed. For information on minimum configuration requirements, see Minimum Task Configuration Requirements.

You can also create an Advanced task by converting a Traditional task. For more information, see Create an Advanced Task from a Traditional Task.

Edit advanced task steps

1. To select a step, hover over the step to highlight it and display the more options icon.
2. To open the edit window, choose one of the following options:
   • Double click the target step.
   • Click the more options icon > Edit.
3. Edit the step elements in the Edit dialog box.
4. To save the updated step, click Save.

More Options

The More Options icon on each step provides direct access to functions. The available options vary depending on the selected step.

1. To select the step, hover over the step to highlight it and display the more options icon.
2. Click the more options icon to display the corresponding options for the selected step type. Options include, Change Host, Clone, Disable/Enable, Delete, Add Additional (Else If) Branch, Add Default (Otherwise) Branch, and Edit source timestamps.
3. Select the required option.
   Note: Deleting a File Loop or Conditional If Branch will delete any steps in the File Loop or Conditional Branch.

Drag and drop an advanced task step

An advanced task step can be dragged and dropped within the task configuration. For example, drag and drop a step to reorder an advanced task or drag and drop a step into a File Loop or Conditional Branch.

1. To select a step, click the step. The drag and drop icon is displayed
2. Click the drag and drop icon and, without releasing the mouse button, drag the mouse pointer to the desired location within the task. An insert line appears at the target location to indicate that it is a valid location.
3. Release the mouse button to drop the selected step in place. A message dialog confirms the configuration change.

Elements in Advanced Tasks

Advanced tasks can contain these elements: schedules, sources, destinations, and processes. They can also include the following advanced elements:

• File Loop (FOR):

  A file loop causes a set of steps to be performed one time for each file that has been downloaded or created so far in the task. An unlimited number of steps can appear inside a loop. Any task element, except a schedule, can be inside a loop.

  For more information, see Add File Loop.
• Conditional branch (IF):

  A conditional branch (IF block) defines a condition, and the set of actions to be performed if that condition is met or not met. You can configure a conditional branch anywhere in an Advanced task, including inside a file loop. Any task element except a schedule can appear inside a conditional branch.

  For more information, see Add Conditional Branch.
• Update Original File:

  Use this step after a transfer is successful to delete or rename original files. Typically used in a file loop.

  For more information, see Update Original.
• Send Email:

  Adds a Send Email step to an Advanced task. The email is sent regardless of the task results. The step can be placed anywhere in the task.

  For more information, see Send Email.
• Run Task:

  Runs another task as a step in an Advanced task.

  The step can be placed anywhere in the task. For example, you can use Run Task inside a conditional branch to process only those files that meet a certain condition. For more information, see Run Task.
• Comment: (2022.1 or later)

  Add an in-line no operation plain text comment to an advanced task.

  A comment can be placed anywhere in an advanced task. Text boxes can be re-sized to accommodate long comments. The text step is expanded to display all text by default. You can easily switch between expanded and collapsed text using the plus or minus sign.

Advanced Task Keyboard Shortcuts

You can use keyboard shortcuts to navigate through and edit advanced tasks in MOVEit Automation.

You can navigate through MOVEit Automation by using a combination of keys. Use the keyboard shortcuts in Table 1 for general MOVEit Automation application screen navigation, and Table 2 when working with an advanced task.