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Unify Applications
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Handle Interactions in Interface

Handle Interactions in Interface

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5 mins READ

Overview

The Interaction property enables components in your low-code application to respond to user actions, like a button's "OnClick" event. Configurators can define actions such as opening pages or triggering data sources.

This article explains how to initiate and manage UI actions, which can be executed serially, in parallel, or conditionally to create complex, dynamic behaviors.

How to Configure Interaction?

When a user interacts with a component, like clicking a button or selecting a row in a table, an event is triggered. Configurators can then define actions on these events to make the application responsive and dynamic. 

The Step-by-step explanation of how interactions work is given below:

  1. Select Event for the Interaction:  Click on “Interactions” in the property panel of the component and select the event for which you want to define an action. 

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    Refer

    Each component has its own set of events. For more details, refer to the component-specific articles.

  2. Select the Action: Define what action should happen when the event is triggered and configure the necessary parameters for the chosen action.Control ModalGo to Page.

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    Different type of actions supported are as follows:

Action

Task Performed

Trigger Data Source

Initiate the data source to fetch the data.

Trigger Block Method

Invoke a specific method or function within a block of code to perform an action.

Control ModalGo to Page

Open or close a modal dialog for additional input or actions.

Control Drawer

Toggle a side drawer for navigation or additional options

Submit Form

Send form data for processing and handle the response accordingly.

Go to URL

Redirect the user to a specified URL in a new or existing browser tab.

Go to Page

Navigate the user to a different page within the application.

Navigate Back

Return the user to the previous page in their browsing history.

Set Variable

Assign a value to a variable to store data or state within the application.

Import Objects

Load external objects or data into the current context for use or manipulation.

Show Notification

Display a notification to inform the user of a specific event or action.

3. Select the Method for the event Under the "Method" dropdown, specify the method you want to choose. Currently UnifyApps supports the “Trigger” method.

Configure Conditional Interactions 

You can add conditions to control when the interaction should occur. You need to define the condition in the condition panel by using required fields or operators.

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Tip

You can use the data pills from input data tab and also apply excel formulas directly while defining the conditions

Example Walkthrough: Handling Button Clicks 

Setting up an interaction for a button to navigate to the next page involves adding a button, defining an event and specifying the action to be performed in response to that event. Here’s a step-by-step guide to setting up this interaction:

  1. Add a Button Component:

    • Drag and drop the Button component from the Components panel into your application's interface.

  2. Select the Button:

    • Click on the button to open its properties panel on the right side of the screen.

  3. Define the Event:

    • In the properties panel, locate the Interactions section.

    • Click on the Add interaction button and the event dialogue box will appear.

    • Choose the “Onclick” event from the dropdown menu. This event triggers when the button is clicked by the user.

  4. Specify the Action:

    • After selecting the “OnClick” event, you need to define the action to be performed.

    • Choose the Go to Page action from the list of available actions.

  5. Configure the Action:

    • Select the target page you want to navigate to from the dropdown menu. Ensure that the target page is already created in your application.

  6. Save the Interaction:

    • Click the Save button to apply the interaction settings to the button.

Now, when a user clicks the button, they will be navigated to the specified page.

Best Practices

  1. Use Clear and Descriptive Event Names: When defining events, use clear and descriptive names that indicate the action being performed. This makes it easier to manage and troubleshoot interactions.

  2. Set Appropriate Conditions: Use conditions to control when actions are executed. This ensures that actions are only performed when necessary.

FAQs

How do I troubleshoot interactions that are not working as expected?

Ensure that the event is correctly defined and that the action is properly specified. Check if conditions are correctly set and verify if any errors are present in the action logic. Testing the interaction step-by-step can help identify the issue.

Can interactions be used to control navigation within the application? 

Yes, interactions can be used to navigate between pages within the application. Use actions like "Go to Page" or "Navigate Back" to control the user's navigation flow based on their interactions.

What are data pills and how are they used in conditions? 

Data pills are dynamic variables that reference values from your application's data sources. They can be used in condition fields to create responsive interactions based on real-time data. Drag and drop data pills into condition fields to define criteria dynamically.