8.4

Note
You can change the name of a previously named file using a Rename action task (see "Rename"
on page 249).
About Data Selections
A data selection could be compared to an address. It indicates a location within a data file
using coordinates. PReS Workflow includes a tool called the Data Selector that helps you
make data selections. The Data Selector does two things:
l It uses the current emulation (either the emulation chosen when the sample data file was
selected, or the one chosen in the last Change Emulation action task appearing above
the current task) to format the data.
l It displays the formatted data to let you make selections easily using the mouse pointer.
The Data Selector is essentially the same as the one used in PReS Connect.
Data Selections
A data selection is simply a reference to a given location within the job file or metadata file,
using the current emulation. Data selections are always evaluated at run-time so they are
always dynamic and depend on the job file that is currently being processed. When you make a
data selection, the PReS Workflow Configuration program converts it to text form, using
coordinates to reference the selected location.
There are three types of data selections you can use in PReS Workflow. The available type of
data selection depends on which emulation you are using and whether or not you have created
Metadata.
You can add data selections to variable properties of your tasks either automatically using the
data selector (See "The Data Selector" on page 22) or manually by typing in the data selection.
Note
It is strongly recommended to use the automatic method, as it returns precisely the same
selections but is generally more reliable
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