ExternalDataSources[]

About this article

ExternalDatasources[] is a function that returns a row of an external data source. It is possible to get data from a data source by the first column. This article will explain the binding syntax and show examples how this can be configured in the Dynamics Designer.

Pre-requisites

Admin right on Templafy tenant
Hive Dynamics Designer (Dynamics 2.0)
External Data Source configured in the Admin Center

Syntax

Syntax	{{ExternalDataSources.DataSourceName[FirstColumnValueToLookUp].ColumnName}}

The 'FirstColumnValueToLookUp' can be plain text or a form field. Using a form field you can use it as a variable, so the output depends on the input of the user.

The function can be used in the Binding field on the Element tab in Dynamics Designer:

Examples

In the examples below this external data source is used:

Please note, creating external data sources requires admin rights as is done from the Resources tab in the Admin Center of the Templafy tenant.

Example 1

Get CategoryName from the row that contains Category ID "3".

Please note, plain text must be enclosed in quotation marks.

Binding	{{ExternalDataSources.Categories["3"].CategoryName}}
Input	n/a
Output	Confections

Example 2

Get Description from the row that contains Category ID "3".

Binding	{{ExternalDataSources.Categories["3"].Description}}
Input	n/a
Output	Desserts, candies, and sweet breads

Example 3

Get Category Name from the row that contains the value of the form field Form.CategoryId.

Binding	{{ExternalDataSources.Categories[Form.CategoryId].CategoryName}}
Input	Form.CategoryId = "5"
Output	Grains/Cereals

Example 4

Get Category Name from the row that contains the value of the HostSystem field HostSystem.CategoryId.

Binding	{{ExternalDataSources.Categories[HostSystem.CategoryId].CategoryName}}
Input	HostSystem.CategoryId = "5"
Output	Grains/Cereals

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