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The very quick quickstart#

This quickstart gives you a quick taste of REA Automations. Its aim is to allow you to try out the UI, and introduce you the two key features: workflow templates and expressions. It doesn't include detailed explanations or explore concepts.

You will:

  • Load a workflow from the workflow templates library
  • Add a node and configure it using expressions.
  • Run your first workflow

Step 1: Sign up with Multiplai#

Skip this section if you've already signed up for a Multiplai Account

Click here to proceed in Multiplai's registration form. REA Automation can be accessed after signing in your Multiplai Account.

Step 2: Open a workflow template#

REA Automations provide a quickstart template using training nodes. This allows you to work with fake data, and avoids setting up credentials.

  1. Go to Templates | Very quick quickstart.
  2. Select Use workflow to view the options for using the template.

This workflow:

  1. Gets example data from the Customer Datastore node.
  2. Uses the Edit Fields node to extract just the data you want, and assign that data to variables. In this example, you use the customer name, ID, and description.

The individual pieces in an REA Automation workflow are called nodes. Double click a node to explore its settings and how it processes data.

Step 3: Execute the workflow#

Select Test Workflow. This runs the workflow, loading the data from the Customer Datastore node, then transforming it with Edit Fields. You need this data available in the workflow so that you can work with it in the next step.

Step 4: Add a node#

Add a third node to message each customer and tell them their description. Use the Customer Messenger node to send a message to fake recipients.

  1. Select the Add node Add node icon connector on the Edit Fields node.
  2. Search for Customer Messenger. REA Automation shows a list of nodes that match the search.
  3. Select Customer Messenger (REA Automation training) to add the node to the canvas. REA Automation opens the node automatically.
  4. Use expressions to map in the Customer ID and create the Message:
    1. Drag customer_id from the INPUT panel into the Customer ID field in the node settings.
    2. Hover over Message. Select the Expression tab, then select the expand button Add node icon to open the full expressions editor.
    3. Copy this expression into the editor: 
      1
      Hi {{$json.customer_name}},  Your description is {{$json.customer_description}}
  5. Close the expressions editor, then close the Customer Messenger node by clicking outside the node or selecting Back to canvas.
  6. Select Test Workflow. REA Automation runs the workflow.

Next steps#

  • Read REA Automation's longer try it out tutorial for a more complex workflow, and an introduction to more features and REA Automation concepts.