Edit an Automation Program

Select or create an automation program in the Automation Program Builder to open the program editor.

For a new program, the canvas will include a 'Drop stage here' box in the centre of the canvas.

Existing programs will display the existing workflow on the canvas along with its status, i.e. paused or active.

To edit a program:

Add a stage by dragging it onto the canvas.
Edit the stage settings.
Build up your workflow with as many stages as required.
Tip: to help navigate large, complex workflows:
- Use the zoom functions on the toolbar or the mouse wheel to zoom your program.
- Make the display full screen by pressing the Full Screen button. To return to the standard screen, press the Escape key or the Full Screen button again.
Save your changes.

Tip: save your work frequently using the Save Draft button to ensure nothing is lost.
Publish and activate your program.

Adding stages

At the top of your canvas, the Stage Palette lists the available stages.

Launch stages - send messages to contacts, either via Campaigns or SMS (if enabled).

Note: numbers need to be in international format, e.g. +44 or 44. to use them in Automation SMS journeys.
Delay stages - wait for a specified amount of time or until the specified point in time.
List stages - add or remove contacts from lists and unsub lists.
Program stages - add or remove contacts from programs.
Filter and split stages - branch your audience based on filters or percentages.

To add a stage:

Expand the stage palette and select a stage.
Drag and drop the stage onto the canvas.
- When adding your first stage, drag the stage into the 'Drop stage here' box.
- When adding additional stages, the connection nodes you can drop the stage onto will be highlighted as red circles and will expand to show you when it can be connected to the program. Stages can be dropped onto any of these circles.
  
  Note: you can drop stages directly onto the canvas but they will not be connected to the program until they have been moved to a connection node.
When stages are first added they are invalid, i.e. you will need to edit your stage settings, before they can be used. Invalid stages are highlighted with a red border.

Tip: you can add multiple stages before validating but you must validate them all before you can save and publish your program.

Moving stages

If you drop a stage onto the canvas but not a connection node, or wish to change which connector the stage links to, e.g. to insert another stage:

Select and hold a stage so that the connectors reappear.
Move the stage to its new location.

Note: stages with 'active' contacts on them cannot be modified; you must first move the contacts elsewhere or remove them from the program.

The number of contacts active on the stage, and those who have passed through, is shown in the editor pane when you select a stage for editing.

Deleting stages

To delete a stage:

Select the stage to remove.
Press the Delete Stage button in the stage's sidebar.

Note: stages with 'active' contacts on them cannot be modified; you must first move the contacts elsewhere or remove them from the program.

The number of contacts active on the stage, and those who have passed through, is shown in the editor pane when you select a stage for editing.

Note: Deleting a filter will delete all stages after it, if they are within the filter's branches.

Editing stages

When a stage is selected, the editor pane slides across onto the canvas. Stages can be configured or deleted here. There are different options available to each stage.

Launch stages - select the campaign to launch.
Delay stages - specify the wait duration.
List stages - assign your lists and unsub lists.
Program stages - select programs for contacts to enter.
Filter and split stages - define split paths and values.

Note: numbers need to be in international format, e.g. +44 or 44. to use them in Automation SMS journeys.

To configure a stage:

Select the stage to edit.
In the sidebar, select the fields and checkboxes required.

Refer to the individual stage type documentation for more detail on each stage type's options.
To close the stage sidebar, select a clear part of the canvas, i.e. deselect the stage in the canvas, or press the Close button at the top of the sidebar.

Tip: when the stage sidebar is revealed the stage palette will collapse. To reveal the palette, press the + in the top left of the canvas.

Adding SMS personalisation

When creating an SMS message, you have the option to add personalisation using your core/data table fields.

Select Personalisation.
Select your Core or Data table.
Select the field you want to personalise.

Saving and versions

We recommend saving your work with the Save Draft button regularly. You can save a draft at any stage, regardless of invalid stages or unpublished campaigns.

To save and publish your program, you must validate your stages.

If you make a mistake or wish to go back to a previous version you can do so using the 'Versions' drop box.

Versions

The 'Versions' drop box lists the previously saved versions of your program. At any time you can select an entry to bring the version up in the editor.

Versions are colour-coded:

Black: a saved draft.
Red: an invalid draft.
Blue: a published version.

The most recently published version will also show a 'play' symbol alongside it.

Stage validation

The program will notify if errors are present with a pop-up when saving or attempting to publish. If you press either Okay or Cancel the invalid stage(s) will shake to prompt you.

When all stages are validated, you may save and publish your program.