Workflow Executor
Workflow Executor
Workflow Executor
Usage
By default, the specified workflow will be executed once for each input row (this can be changed in the Row Grouping tab).
Fields from the data row(s) can be used to set parameters and variables and it is passed to the workflow in the form of a result row. Remember that all parameters must be defined at least once in each pipeline or workflow (Edit pipeline/workflow properties). You are passing a parameter when you send a field/parameter/variable to a workflow executor from the Parameters tab.
You can also allow a group of records to be passed based on the value in a field (when the value changes the workflow is executed) or on time. In these cases, the first row of the group or rows is used to set parameters or variables in the workflow.
It is possible to launch multiple copies of this transform to facilitate parallel workflow processing.
See also:
The Workflow action that executes a sub-workflow from a workflow.
The Pipeline action that executes a pipeline from a workflow.
The Pipeline Executor transform that executes a sub-pipeline from a pipeline.
The Loops in Apache Hop how-to guide.
Samples (samples project)
loops/workflow-executor.hpl
Options
General
Transform name
Name of the transform.
Workflow
Use this option to specify a workflow stored in a file (.hwf file)
Run configuration
Specify the Workflow Run Configuration to be used for execution.
Parameters Tab
In this tab you can specify which field to use to set a certain parameter or variable value. If you specify an input field to use, the static input value is not used. If multiple rows are passed to the workflow, the first row is taken to set the parameters or variables.
There is a button in the lower right corner of the tab that will insert all the defined parameters of the specified workflow. For information the description of the parameter is inserted into the static input value field.
Tip
If you leave the "Inherit all variables from pipeline" option checked (it is by default), all the variables defined in the current pipeline are passed to child workflow.
The Get Parameters button in the lower right corner of the tab that will insert all the defined parameters with their description for the specified workflow
The Map Parameters button in the lower right corner of the tab lets you map fields in the current pipeline to parameters in the child workflow.
Row Grouping Tab
On this tab you can specify the amount of input rows that are passed to the workflow in the form of result rows.
Specify how to group the result rows by using one of the following methods:
Specific number of rows.
Specific field.
Specified duration of time.
You can use the result rows in a pipeline or workflow action, or you can retrieve the records directly by using the Get rows from result action in a pipeline.
To access the Field to group rows on or Duration time when collecting rows options, remove the default value (1) in the Number of rows to send to pipeline option.
Number of rows to send to pipeline
Specify a number. After every n number of rows, the workflow will be executed, and these n rows will be passed to the pipeline. Default value: 1
Field to group rows on
Specify a field for grouping rows. Rows will be accumulated in a group as long as the field value stays the same. If the value changes the workflow will be executed and the accumulated rows will be passed to the workflow.
Duration time when collecting rows
Specify a duration in milliseconds. This is time the transform will spend accumulating rows prior to the execution of the workflow.
Please note that you can only specify one method of grouping.
Execution Results Tab
You can specify result fields and to which transform to send them. If you don’t need a certain result simply leave a blank input field.
Target transform for the execution results
Use the drop-down menu to select a transform in the pipeline as the target transform to receive the results from the workflow.
N/A
Execution time (ms)
Specify the field name for the workflow execution time.
ExecutionTime
Execution result
Specify the field name for the workflow execution result.
ExecutionResult
Number of errors
Specify the field name for the number of errors during the execution of the workflow.
ExecutionNrErrors
Number of rows read
Specify the field name for the total number of rows read during the execution of the workflow.
ExecutionLinesRead
Number of rows written
Specify the field name for the total number of rows written during the execution of the workflow.
ExecutionLinesWritten
Number of rows input
Specify the field name for the total number of input rows during the execution of the workflow.
ExecutionLinesInput
Number of rows output
Specify the field name for the total number of output rows during the execution of the workflow.
ExecutionLinesOutput
Number of rows rejected
Specify the field name for the total number of rows rejected during the execution of the workflow.
ExecutionLinesRejected
Number of rows updated
Specify the field name for the total number of rows updated during the execution of the workflow.
ExecutionLinesUpdated
Number of rows deleted
Specify the field name for the total number of rows deleted during the execution of the workflow.
ExecutionLinesDeleted
Number of files retrieved
Specify the field name for the total number of files retrieved during the execution of the workflow.
ExecutionFilesRetrieved
Exit status
Specify the field name for the exit status of the execution of the workflow.
ExecutionExitStatus
Execution logging text
Specify the field name for the logging text from the execution of the workflow.
ExecutionLogText
Log channel ID
Specify the field name for the log channel ID used during the execution of the workflow.
ExecutionLogChannelID
Result Rows Tab
In the "Result rows" tab you can specify the layout of the expected result rows of this workflow and to which transform to send them after execution.
The workflow executor performs a consistency check over the fields we declared in this tab as the fields that want to receive in output. The check will be performed by making sure the fields we require are really present in the results stream and that type of each fields is really the type we expected to be. If there are any differences an error will be thrown. The error will give you the complete picture about which fields are missing and/or which fields were declared by considering a wrong datatype.
Target transform for result rows
Use the drop-down menu to select a transform in the pipeline as the target transform.
Field name
Specify the name of the field.
Data type
Use the drop-down menu to specify the data type of the field, such as number, date, or string.
Length
If applicable, specify the length of the field.
Precision
If applicable, specify the precision to use.
Note: remember that currently this transform always give you a result row back even if the pipelines started in the sub-workflow don’t return any result. In this case, the result row that you will get back will contain only the fields provided by the flow as input of this transform.
Result Files Tab
Here you can specify where to send the result files from the workflow execution.
Target transform for result files information
Use the drop-down menu to select a transform in the pipeline as the target transform.
Result file name field
Specify the name of the field for the result files.
Last updated 2025-09-04 18:23:24 +0200
Last updated