Add Generate Print File

This passage will walk you through how to use and set the generate print file node. Also, you can learn how to connect this node with other nodes to realize writing back the triggered data as an attachment to the form.

What is the Generate Print File Node?

The generate print file node means that, in Automations Pro, a single record generated in the previous node can be printed. What's more subsequent nodes can also retrieve the generated print file as an attachment.

Prerequisite

This is an advanced feature that requires the standard or above plans. For details, see Pricing, or contact our Sales Team.
To set up continuous printing and rewriting features, you must build a workflow form first. If you haven’t done these, you can build a Products Quality Control form as below that will be used as an example.

Demonstration

Taking the production quality inspection scenario as an example, when the quality inspector enters the inspection result, it triggers Automations Pro. The system generates and prints the quality inspection report and writes it back to the form. Click the refresh button, you can see the file in the form.

How to Set the Generate Print File Node?

Step 1 Setting the Print Templates

This step provides you with a customized print template when configuring the Generate Print File Node.

1. Add a Spreadsheet Template.

Go to the Extension>Print Templates, click New Table Template and choose the Spreadsheet Template.

2. Customize the Spreadsheet Template.

You will enter a new page. The workflow form fields are listed on the left side. You can drag and drop these fields into the spreadsheet on the right side. After adding the fields, you can further customize the template using the tools on the top toolbar.

Note:
If the Print User field is added to the print template. Then when printing, the Print User information will all be displayed as the system robot.

Step 2 Adding a Generate Print File Node

1. Add an Automation pro.

Go to Extension>Automations and click New Automation. On the popup page, you can rename this Automations pro. Choose Form Trigger as the trigger type.

2. Add a Node.

Then, you will enter a new page and configure your node here. You can set the previous node according to your needs, including trigger actions and so on. Add a Generate Print File Node in the Calculation Node.

Step 3 Setting the Generate Print File Node

Select the Triggered Data as the Print Object, and the Quality Control Report you set in Step 1 as the Print Control Report. If you want to create a new Print Template, you can click the Print Template on the right part of the page.

Note：
1. Only a single record of data can be printed.
2. When the trigger type is triggered by HTTP or Scheduled Trigger, the trigger node is not available.
3. Since the trigger node stores a copy of the original data for subsequent nodes to access, when printing data from the trigger node, even if the Automations Pro updates/deletes the trigger data during execution, the printed data will still reflect the original data.

How to Realize the Rewrite Feature?

The above operations can help you achieve this. Once the trigger node is set up, the system will automatically generate the Production Inspection Report based on the template you have set. You simply need to click the print button to print the report. However, if you need to write back this report to the form as well, you will need to follow the steps below.

Step 1 Adding an Update Record Node

Click the plus button and add an Update Record Node in this Automations Pro.

Step 2 Setting the Update Record Node

Choose Record at the node and Triggered Data in Update. Then, set the Field Value. Select QC Report in the form, so that the triggered value of the previous node will be written into this field. Select Generate Print File as the attachment file.

When to Use the Generate Print File Node?

The Generate Print File Node is often used in conjunction with the plugin node, or with the add/update record nodes, to return the generated print file to the form's attachment field. For example:

In a contract signing scenario, based on the contract basic information in the form, a contract document can be printed and returned to the form's attachment field. This allows for the electronic signature plugin to initiate the contract signing process automatically.
When drafting a contract, once the drafting personnel confirm the form information is correct, a print file is automatically generated and uploaded to the form's attachment field. This eliminates the manual steps of printing the contract and then uploading it, making it easier for leaders to review the attached contract files.
During the quality inspection process, after the quality inspection department inputs the results, a quality inspection report is automatically generated and returned to the form's attachment field. Other departments can directly download the attachments from the form.

FAQ(s)

Q: Is there any limit on the attachment upload size?

A: Prior to printing the file, there will be a check on the attachment upload size. If the attachment size exceeds the version limit, the printing process will fail.

Q: Is there any limit on the file size?

A: When printing a file, the maximum file size allowed is 20MB. Exceeding this limit will result in a printing failure.

Q: What kind of nodes can retrieve the triggered data in the Generate Print File?

A: The print file outputted by the Generate Print File Node can be used as an attachment type for the following nodes.

Plug-in Node: Used as a plugin parameter.
Add Record Node: Used as the data source for assignment, to be assigned to the attachment field.
Update Record Node: Used as the data source for assignment, to be assigned to the attachment field.

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👉I can't wait to SET A GENERATE PRINT FILE NODE.

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