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If the job file is processed by a Splitter action task, the task typically creates a number of new files
which are all given new job file names.
Since these files are generated and managed by PReS Workflow, you should not actually pay too much
attention to their names.
Many Output tasks, on the other hand, let you determine exactly how you want the files they generate
to be named. In the case of Send to Folder output tasks, for example, output files are saved under
their job file names by default (using the variable %f), but you may use a static (MyOutput.txt, for
example) or variable name (%O_Invoices, for instance) of your choosing.
Variables such as %o (original file name) bring up the issue of file overwriting. If the process receives
two source files with the same name, the second output file may overwrite the first one. This may be
what you want, but otherwise you may consider using another variable, such as %u (unique 13-char-
acter string).
When choosing naming schemes for output files, consider the following:
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For the benefit of users who must identify files, be it in a folder or on a printer queue, consider
using names that are as meaningful and as precise as possible.
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Some devices or applications may use file name extensions to know what to do with incoming
files.
Since variable properties can be entered in the boxes where you specify the folder and file names, you
can use variables (see "About variables" on page238), data selections (see "Data selections" below)
and static text. You could, for example, use the following:
ClientID_@(1,1,1,1,14,KeepCase,Trim)_StatMonth_%m.
One last consideration regarding output file names has to do with standard JPEG and TIFF files gen-
erated by PReS Image. When an output job contains multiple pages, multiple JPEG or TIFF files are
generated (one image per file), each one identified by a sequence number appended to its name (this is
managed by your PReS Workflow). A three page job to be called Invoice, for example, will generate
three JPEGs or TIFFs called Invoice0, Invoice1 and Invoice2. Note that this does not apply to multiple
TIFFs, which can include multiple images in a single file.
Note: You can change the name of a previously named file using a Rename action task (see
"Rename" on page393).
Data selections
A data selection could be compared to an address. It indicates a location within a data file or database:
the job file (see "Job file" on the previous page), Metadata file (see "Metadata" on page66), or "Data
Repository" on page79.
Data selections can be used in many task property fields and are always evaluated at run-time so they
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