How to compare one value to multiple values and return results accordingly using Switch()

About this article

This article explains what the Switch() function is and provide examples of how it can be used with the binding syntax in smart templates.

What is the Switch() function?
Switch() function examples

Prerequisites

Library and at least one Dynamics module enabled
Templafy Desktop and Office VSTO add-in installed on the PC
Tenant admin/owner access or Space owner access

What is the Switch() function?

Switch() is a function that compares one value to multiple values and returns results accordingly, if nothing matches the conditions set in the function, a default value will be inserted. It can also be seen as slightly similar to a nested IfElse() function.

Switch() logic

Syntax	{{Switch(ValueToCompare, Value1, Result1, Value2, Result2..., DefaultValue)}}
Input	ValueToCompare, Value1, Value2..., DefaultValue
Output	Value1 -> Result1, Value2 -> Result2, Else -> DefaultValue

Switch() function examples

Example 1

Using the Switch() function with the "Sensitivity" dropdown question originating from the response form to adjust the text displayed in the template.

Binding	{{Switch(Form.Sensitivity.Name,"Top Secret","Strictly Confidential","Internal","Internal Only","Public")}}
Input	Form.Sensitivity = "Top Secret"	Form.Sensitivity = "Internal"	Form.Sensitivity = Not "Internal" or "Top Secret"
Output	"Strictly Confidential"	"Internal Only"	"Public"

Example 2

Using the Switch() function to show the correct salutation depending on the HostSystem value of "Gender".

Binding	{{Switch(HostSystem.Gender, "M", "Dear sir", "F", "Dear madam", "Dear sir/madam")}}
Input	HostSystem.Gender = "M"	HostSystem.Gender = "F"	HostSystem.Gender = ""
Output	"Dear sir"	"Dear madam"	"Dear sir/madam"

Example 3

Using the Switch() function with the "Company" originating from the user profile to translate a numerical value into a company name.

Binding	{{Switch(UserProfile.Company,"1","Templafy ApS","2","iWriter","No Company")}}
Input	UserProfile.Company = "1"	UserProfile.Company = "2"	UserProfile.Company = Not "1" or "2"
Output	"Templafy ApS"	"iWriter"	"No Company"

Example 4

Instead of plain text you can also use other form fields in the binding, e.g. Form.Subject.

The value of Form.Subject is "Meeting".

Binding	{{Switch(Form.Choice,"1", "Hello world", "2", Form.Subject, "No Choice")}}
Input	Form.Choice = "1"	Form.Choice = "2"	Form.Choice = Not "1" or "2"
Output	"Hello world"	"Meeting"	"No Choice"

Example 5

Using the Switch() function together with the StringJoin() function to display specific text depending if both questions 1 and 2 are empty.

Binding

{{Switch(StringJoin("", Form.Question1, Form.Question2),"", "Question 1 and 2 are empty", "Question 1 and/or 2 contain(s) a value")}}

Input

Form.Question1 = ""

Form.Question2 = ""

Form.Question1 = ""

Form.Question2 = "Hello world"

Output

"Question 1 and 2 are empty"

"Question 1 and/or 2 contain(s) a value"

Example 6

In this example this Offices data source is used:

Using the Switch() function together with the "DocumentLanguage" originating from the user profile to display the phone number in different formats.

Depending on the DocumentLanguage set in the user profile the phone number is shown in a different format. If the DocumentLanguage is not "nl-NL" or not set then the default value is returned.

Binding	{{Switch(DocumentLanguage,"nl-NL", UserProfile.Office.Phone_NL, UserProfile.Office.Phone_EN)}}
Input	DocumentLanguage = "nl-NL"	DocumentLanguage = "en-US"	DocumentLanguage = not set
Output	"040 - 1234 567"	"+31 (0)40 1234 567"	"+31 (0)40 1234 567"

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