Working with Tasks
The type and the status of a task determines what you can do with it. This topic provides an overview with short descriptions of all available task functions. The list does not consider the status that a task must have for a function to be available.
Right-click a task to open the context-menu that provides the available functions. You can access the task context-menus from the following areas in the Automic Web Interface:
- List of Tasks in the Process Monitoring perspective
- Job, Job Group, Workflow, Schedule, and Agent Group monitors, Fullfilments list
- Global search drop-down list
- List of results in the advanced search
The functions are grouped in the context menus as follows:
- Access to the most frequent actions: Open the monitors, the Requests view and the reports.
- Access to the Executions lists.
- Access to functions to modify the task. These functions depend on the status and type of task.
- Access to comments, forecasts and to the Send To function, if configured.
- Access to the object and to the Search for Use function for that object.
The functions are listed in alphabetical order. To see a list of the available functions depending on the status of a task, see Available Functions Depending on the Task Status.
[A] [C] [D] [E] [F] [G] [I] [M] [O] [P] [Q] [R] [S] [T] [U]
Activator Executions
Opens the list of historical data of the instance (the activator) that has triggered the execution of a task
For more information, see Execution Data.
Apply Modifications
Available for Workflows in the Workflow Monitor
To change settings in a running Workflow you must first stop its execution. Right-click the Workflow, select Modify and make your changes. Select this option to apply your changes.
For more information, see Workflows (JOBP) and Monitoring Workflows.
Cancel
Stops processing the task as well as all subordinated tasks that have not yet started
Note: Tasks that have already started continue running.
Note: Tasks that have already started continue running.
Cancel (Recursive)
Stops processing the task as well as all subordinated tasks, including those that have already started
Child Task Executions
Opens the historical data of tasks which execution is triggered by another object
For more information, see Execution Data.
Comments
Opens a dialog where you can enter additional information on the task
Note: Tasks that contain comments display the comment icon in the RunID column.
For more information, see Adding Comments.
Create Forecast
Calculates the expected execution times and the estimated runtime of executable objects and tasks
For more information, see Forecasting.
Deactivate
Removes an ended task from the list
The parameters in the Automatic Deactivation Section in the definition of an executable object determine whether it should be deactivated or not after its execution. The following options are available:
- Never
- Always
- After error-free execution
- After error-free restart
- Deactivate after x minutes
Use this option to remove from the list the tasks that are still active after their execution. The only exception are tasks for which the Never option has been selected. The Deactivate function does not affect them.
Deactivating Workflows includes all its subordinate tasks.
Deactivate (Forced)
Deactivates the Workflow and its child Workflows (if any), even if they still contain active tasks
This option always overrules the Automatic Deactivation settings in the object definition, even if they have been set to Never deactivate tasks. See the Automatic Deactivation Section.
Note: Rollbacks fail for Workflows that have already been deactivated through this option.
Executions
Opens the list of executions (historical data) of the selected task
For more information, see Execution Data.
Filter
Limits the activity list according to specified filter criteria
For more information, see Filtering Tasks.
Go Immediately
Starts processing a task immediately
Note: Tasks that have a Waiting status start as well. Child tasks are not affected.
For more information, see Executing Objects.
Go (Recursive)
Starts processing a task immediately
Note: Tasks that have a Waiting status also start. It also starts child tasks.
For more information, see Executing Objects.
Ignore Preconditions
Tasks in a Waiting status due to their pre-conditions continue executing
Note: The actions/conditions are ignored and skipped.
For more information, see Conditions, Preconditions, Postconditions.
Ignore Queue Limit
Starts the task immediately.
Note: This option is relevant for tasks that are waiting to start because of missing queue slots (Waiting for Queue slot)
For more information, see Queue (QUEUE).
Ignore Sync Conditions
Ignores the conditions that have been defined in the Sync object assigned to the task and starts the task
Note: Sync objects contain definitions on status, conditions and actions that are combined to specify the order in which tasks will be executed. Tasks can be in a waiting status due to these Sync definitions.
For more information, see Monitoring Sync Objects and Sync (SYNC).
Modify
Available for workflows in the Workflow Monitor
To change settings in a running Workflow you must first stop its execution. Right-click the Workflow and select this option.
Note: To apply your changes you must then select Apply modifications.
For more information, see Workflows (JOBP) and Monitoring Workflows.
Modify Execution
Available for Period containers (C_PERIOD tasks)
For more information, see Scheduling Executions with the Execute Recurring Function.
Modify Parent Properties
Opens a dialog where you can change the maximum number of simultaneous tasks allowed
For more information, see Modifying Properties (Job Groups) and Modifying Properties (Agent Groups).
Modify Priority
Opens the dialog where you can change the priority of the task
Note: This option is available for tasks with a status between 1500 and 1799 (see System Return Codes of Executable Objects).
For more information, see Automation Engine Priority.
Modify Properties
Opens a dialog where you can modify the maximum number of simultaneous tasks allowed
Note: Available for Job Groups and Agent Groups.
For more information, see Modifying Properties (Job Groups) and Modifying Properties (Agent Groups).
Modify Status Manually
Allows you to change the status of a task manually
Important! This function should be restricted to very few users.
For more information, see Modifying the Status Manually.
Modify Task
Allows you to change parameters of tasks that have been started with the Execute once option (not Immediately)
For more information, see Executing Objects Once and Modifying Tasks.
Open Agent Group Monitor
Opens the list of tasks that are processed by the selected Agent Group
For more information, see Monitoring Agent Groups and Agent Groups (HOSTG).
Open Monitor
Opens the monitor of the selected task
Available only for running tasks that have a monitor view of their own, such as Workflows, Schedules, groups, and so on.
For more information, see Monitoring Tasks.
Open Object
Opens the object in the current browser window and allows you to modify its definition, provided you have the necessary privileges
For more information, see Defining Objects.
Open Object in New Tab
Opens the object in a new browser tab. It is the same as middle-clicking.
Open Parent Monitor
Opens the monitor of the task's parent object
The parent monitor provides information about the progress of the task. It also gives you access to functions to modify the current execution.
For more information, see Monitoring Tasks.
Open Report
Opens the report of the selected execution (RunID)
For more information, see Reports.
Open Sync Monitor
Opens the list of tasks affected by one or more Sync objects
For more information, see Monitoring Sync Objects.
Open User Input Dialog
Available for tasks that are waiting for manual input to continue processing
For more information, see Reacting to Requests.
Parent Task Executions
Opens the list of past executions of the parent task. Available for tor tasks that run in another task, such as in a Workflow, a Schedule, and so on.
For more information, see Execution Data.
Properties
Opens a pane at the bottom half of the page where you can see and modify the properties of the tasks included in the selected container
For more information, see:
- For Workflows, Modifying Workflow Tasks at Runtime
- For Schedules, Modifying Task Properties in an Active Schedule
Quit
Ends a long-running activity
Note: Only available for long-running, recurring activities. For example, these activities execute a particular process repeatedly within a particular interval (event). They must be manually ended by the user.
Recalculate next start time
Available for Schedules.
Schedules and tasks within Schedules can have Calendars assigned to them.
The definitions of Calendars or Calendar Events can change. Activate this option if you want the Schedule monitor to apply such changes automatically.
For more information, see Schedules (JSCH) and Modifying Active Schedules.
Refresh
Loads the latest view data
For more information, see Refresh Interval.
Lets the task execute.
Tasks are in this status when they have been executed using the Execute Once option and the Wait for manual release function has been activated.
Before being actually executed, tasks go through the following phases: Activation, Generation and Transfer. If set to wait for manual release, tasks are activated, if they are jobs, their scripts are generated and, if applicable, transfers are carried out. However, they are not executed.
You select this option to execute them.
For more information, see:
Reload definition at period turnaround
Available for Schedules
If selected, changes done to the Schedule definition are applied with the next period turnaround.
A tick next to this option indicates that this function is activated.
Note: You need the Write (W) and Modify at runtime (M) authorizations to perform this operation.
For more information, see Schedules (JSCH) and Modifying Active Schedules.
Remote Restart
Restarts Remote Task Manager (JOBQ) jobs and jobs that run in external systems, such as SAP or PeopleSoft
For more information, see Monitoring and Restarting External Tasks and Executing Objects.
Remove
Available for jobs in Registered status
Replace Task
Replace tasks that are activated but not started yet
Note: Available for tasks that run in Workflows.
For more information, see Replacing Tasks.
Reset Task
Sets the task back to its previous status
Note: Available for tasks that run in a Schedule.
For more information, see Schedules (JSCH) and Monitoring Schedules.
Restart
Restarts tasks that have already been and allows you to define the required Execution Options
For more information, see:
Rollback Task
Processes a rollback on the selected task
For more information, see Rollback Page and Rolling Back Tasks and Workflows.
Rollback to this Task
Restores all tasks from the end of the Workflow back to the selected task, which is also restored.
Note: Only possible for ended tasks (successful or aborted).
For more information, see Rollback Page and Rolling Back Tasks and Workflows.
Search for Use
Opens the list of objects in which a particular object or task is being used
For more information, see Search for Use.
Set Active
Sets back the Workflow to active
Set Inactive
Skips the selected task
When the Workflows reaches it, this task is not processed.
Note: Available for tasks that have not yet started (status: Waiting for predecessor).
Set Breakpoint
Causes the Workflow to stop at this task and changes the status of the Workflow to blocked
To continue processing it you must open the Workflow monitor and delete the breakpoint manually.
Note: Available for tasks that have not yet started (status: Waiting for predecessor).
For more information, see:
Show Definition
Opens the Workflow object definition, where you can edit it
Note: Requires access to the Process Assembly perspective.
For more information, see Workflows (JOBP).
Show in Process Monitoring
Available for entries in the Executions lists only when right-clicking an entry and selecting Executions Lists
This options opens the list of Tasks in the Process Monitoring perspective. The list is filtered using the runID of the selected execution.
For more information, see Execution Data.
Suspend
Pauses the processing of the task and of all subordinated tasks that have not yet started
Notes:
- Tasks that have already started continue running.
- Available for long-running tasks only.
Suspend (Recursive)
Pauses the processing of the task and of all subordinated, including those that have already started
Note: Available for long-running tasks only.
Take Over Task
Allows you to take the ownership of a task
For more information, see Taking Over Ownership.
Unblock Task
Removes the task blocking condition and allows the task and the Workflow to continue processing
Note: Available for blocked tasks only.
See also: