A Data Input task requires user input such as financial data or statistical data. Links to Forms or Anaplan XL writeback reports can be added to a Data Input Task. Use Forms and writeback reports to enter the required data.

Data Input Task - Configuration Pane Parameters

The key parameters include:

ParameterDescription
NameEnter the name that appears on the task.
Activity ReportsSelect from the list of Forms and Anaplan XL writeback reports, along with their respective parameters, which you can use to input the required data.
Owner/Supervisor/ContributorSee Common Workflow Task Fields for more information.
Due DateEnter the date the task needs to be completed by.
Advance RuleSpecify how to advance to the task. The default is All predecessors have completed. 
Info TextThe edit box allows you to add additional information such as instructions that the user may find helpful.

Configure a Data Input task

To configure the Data Input task:

  1. Drag the Data Input task onto the Workflow Editor canvas to add it.
    Find the Data Input task in the Action section of the Workflow toolbox.
  2. Select the Data Input task and select the Edit icon to edit the parameters in the Task Configuration pane.
  3. Fill in the required parameters. 
    1. The default Name prepopulates to Data Input. Modify this name if need be.
    2. In the Activity Reports section, add Forms or Anaplan XL writeback reports from the Explorer. Use these Forms and writeback reports to enter the required data.
    3. Select + to select the form or writeback report to add. Select the form or writeback report from the Explorer. 

If the form or writeback report doesn't have any rules, add a description to the item. If the form or writeback report has parameters associated with it, set the parameter values. Parameters can be:

Parameter ValuesDescription
Member selection

Select inside the white edit box for the field to set the member to an available member. 

A prompt to select a member displays. Select a member from the list of members available.

Dropdown list selection

If the report has been set up to use a selection from a list of values, there'll be a dropdown list beside the dimension. 

Select a value from the list of available options.

Custom parameter

You can override the member selection and dropdown list to use a custom parameter. 

Select the widget icon to the right of the member edit box to set a custom parameter. The Pick a Parameter dialog appears.

A custom parameter can either be:

  • A hard-coded value such as Jan 2024. Or,
  • A global variable such as {GlobalVariable.CurrentPeriod}. 

If your workflow is a Bursting Workflow and uses For Each tasks, you can also use the Subprocess syntax to pass in the member in the iteration, for example {{Subprocess}.Name}.

Enter the custom value in the edit box labeled Custom.

For more information on Workfow Subprocess syntax, read Using Workflow Subprocess Syntax in Bursting Workflows.

Process parameter

You can choose to set up the report to use the members that are selected when the workflow process is started. 

Select the widget icon to the right of the member edit box to set a process parameter. The Pick a Parameter dialog appears.

If Process Parameters have been set up for the workflow, they appear in a list at the top of the dialog. Select an appropriate value.

For more information on Process Parameters, read Set up a Workflow to Use Parameters.

  1. Add additional forms and writeback reports as needed.
  2. Set the Owner, Supervisors and Contributors, as well as the Due Date if applicable. You can also set the Advance Rule. For more information, read Work with Interactive Workflow Tasks.
  3. Select OK to apply changes in the Task Configuration pane. 
  4. Select Save to save the workflow.
  5. Select the Play icon in the Workflow Editor toolbar to start the workflow. 
  6. The parameters you select when the workflow starts are passed to the report parameters that were set to a Process Parameter.

Note: To read more about how to leverage Process Options.