UiPath Connector Builder/Activity Designer

The UiPath Connector Builder/Activity Designer is a powerful new tool that lets you see what an automation activity will look like while you're creating it. This tool is now available for everyone in the public preview phase.

How It Helps Businesses

• Easy Customization

You can easily change how input and output fields are placed and displayed in your automation activities. This makes it simple to create workflows that match your specific business needs.

• Reduce Errors

By marking important input fields as "Required," you can ensure that no critical information is missing, reducing the chance of errors in your automation processes.

• Better Workflow Management

Output fields can be separated into individual variables, making it easier to handle and use data in your workflows.

What’s New

• Real-Time Preview

You can see changes immediately as you make them, making the design process faster and more interactive.

• Customizable Input Fields

You can adjust where input fields are placed and set important fields as "Required" to make sure they are always filled out. You can also change the order of these fields.

• Curated Output Fields

You can select output fields to be turned into individual variables, making it easier to access and use data in your workflows.

Benefits

• Save Time

The real-time preview and easy customization options make designing automation activities quicker and more efficient.

• Improve Accuracy

By ensuring that all required fields are filled out, you can reduce mistakes and make your automation workflows more reliable.

• Better User Experience

The intuitive design process makes it easier and more enjoyable to create custom connectors.

Step-by-Step Demo for Using the UiPath Connector Builder/Activity Designer

• Open Studio Web

1. Access Studio Web: Go to your web browser and log in to Studio Web through the UiPath platform.
2. Navigate to Integration Service: In Studio Web, find and click on the "Integration Service" option.

• Build or Select a Connector

1. Build Your Connector: Click on the "Build your connector" button.
2. Create or Select a Connector:Create New Connector: If you are starting from scratch, click "Create new connector" and select "Start from API definition" to import an API definition from a Swagger file or Postman collection. Select Existing Connector: If you have an existing connector, select it from the list.

• Open Activity Designer

1. Navigate to Activity Designer: Within your chosen connector, click on the "Activity Designer" tab. This will open the new Activity Designer interface.

• Configuring Input Fields
• Add Input Fields

1. Go to the Input Tab: Click on the "Input" tab in the Activity Designer.
2. Add Parameters and Fields:Click the three vertical dots next to the Search input field. Select "Add parameter" to add new input fields.Configure each input field by setting its name, type, and any other required properties.

• Adjust Field Placement

1. Set Required Fields: Use the "Required" column to mark important fields that must be filled out.
2. Choose Placement:Use the "Main" and "Additional" columns to decide where each field will appear in the activity preview.Rearrange the fields by dragging them or using the "=" sign to update their order.

• Configuring Output Fields
• Curate Output Fields

1. Go to the Output Tab: Click on the "Output" tab.
2. Make a Successful API Call: Use the "Send Request" button to make a successful API call. This will populate the response fields.
3. Curate Response Fields: Select response fields to be "Curated" so they can be used as standalone variables in your workflow.

• Finalizing the Activity
• Preview and Edit Activity

1. Activity Preview: On the right side of the screen, you will see a live preview of the activity.
2. Edit Activity Name: Click on the name of the activity in the preview to edit it as needed.

• Save and Test

1. Save Your Work: Make sure to save your connector after making all the desired changes.
2. Test the Activity: Use the saved activity in a workflow to ensure everything functions as expected.

Current Limitations

Right now, the Activity Designer doesn't support all types of input fields like drop downs, radio buttons, multi-select, file pickers, and date pickers. You also can't choose how fields are displayed.

This tool is currently in public preview, and your feedback is invaluable. Explore its advantages, see a step-by-step demo, and enjoy the benefits of streamlined, error-free automation.