Actions

Actions are an essential part of automated labeling solutions. Each action performs a predefined command (or a series of commands) when a defined event happens.

Desktop Designer includes a wide range of actions. Their purpose is to eliminate the need to start the solution programming from scratch.

Manage actions using the Action Editor dialog box.

Basic Action concepts and properties are described below.

• Available Actions: the range of actions that are included in Desktop Designer. These actions are grouped into functional sets.

• Defining actions: an action is defined in Actions Editor by clicking the appropriate action icon in Add ribbon group. The main ribbon contains commonly used actions and – later – the actions you define as common actions. To see all available actions, click All Actions.

• Nested Actions: actions that cannot be used on their own. Their specific characteristics require them to be nested within another action. Use buttons in Action Order ribbon group to change action placement. Each action is identified with an ID number that indicates its position in the list, including its nesting. This ID number is displayed in the potential error message so you can find the problematic action faster.

Print Label action is an example of such action. This action is nested under the Open Label action, so it references the exact label to be printed.

• Action Execution: listed (active) actions are executed once per event. The order of actions is crucial – the execution begins at the top and moves toward bottom of the list.

• Conditional Actions: conditional actions only run when the provided conditions allow them to be run. Condition is defined with a single line VBScript Expression or Python Script.

• Errors in Actions: if an action is not configured completely, it is marked with a red exclamation icon. Such action can be included in the event list but cannot be executed.

• Disabling Actions: prevents an action from being executed. By default, each added action is enabled. Actions that are not needed, can be disabled and still kept in the configuration. The shortcut to action enabling & disabling is the check box in front of the action name on the list of defined actions.

• Copying Actions: any action may be copied and pasted. Use standard Windows keyboard shortcuts, or right-click the action.