To apply criteria filters to communication entity data

The procedure to apply criteria filters to communication entity data is as follows:

1. Navigate to Quick Menu > Communication Engine > Configuration > Communication Definitions. The Communication Definitions window is displayed.
2. Expand a module and linked entity from the alphabetical list and select an associated communication definition, or type its name into the Search Communications field. By default the list is filtered to show Current communication definitions. An alternative filter can be applied using the Filter by drop-down field: Expired, Future or All combinations 1.
3. Click on List Criteria. The List Criteria tab is activated and all existing criterion are displayed in the List Tag Name summary table.
4. Click on New List Criteria. The List Criteria window is displayed.
5. Enter a Tag name into the field provided. The syntax must exclude spaces and special characters (? / \ # & ! ^ % £ $) 1.
6. Using the Entity drop-down field, select an appropriate value from the filtered list 2.
7. Enter a conditional Output list tag into the field provided, either by expanding the entity headings and selecting the desired tag, or typing its name into the Search Tags field to return all possible matches 3.
8. Select Ascending order by or Descending order by to control the alphabetical or chronological sort of the resultant merge field data.
9. To restrict the number of list items displayed via the conditional tag, enter the row counter threshold into the field provided and select the overarching control function: All rows, Bottom rows or Top rows.
10. Click on Next. The Output Condition window is displayed, ready to define the conditions under which the Output list tag will be included within a merged communication. This requisite step is covered separately in the topic Understanding the advanced statement builder.
11. Click on Save. The new list criteria is displayed in the List Tag Name summary table, including the full Selection Expression algorithm 4.
12. Repeat steps 4 through 11 to add further conditional Output list tags.

Tip

1 To aid in identification purposes, it is good practice to devise and uphold a consistent naming convention for all list criteria tags.

Note

1 The Search Communications field will match against any element of the communication description.

2 The Entity values available for selection are filtered according to the module linked to the communication definition.

3 A pseudo (friendly) name is shown in the list of available tags; once selected, the physical database field name is shown in the Output field.

4 To remove a criteria entry, highlight the corresponding row in the List Tag Name summary table and click on Remove List Criteria.

See related topics...

Communication definition management overview

Understanding the advanced statement builder

To create a new communication definition