When you create a public form for users, you can specify that certain parameters are added to the form URL. The parameters are transformed into data references in the launched workflow instance and can be used within Next Matter or passed to an external database such as Redshift.

This way, you don’t have to add the references manually but specify which references you want to get, and those are automatically gathered, which saves you time and increases the reliability of data collection. You can also use this feature to connect any in-house-developed system to Next Matter or to automatically gather user data.

For example:

  1. You specify that country and time should be appended to the URL. This will configure the form link to be: https://app.nextmatter.com/portal/2974dc3c-61fd-40b4-a292-38117cef36e9?country=value&time=value

Image of metadata settings for a public form

  1. The user starts an instance that gets a dedicated link assigned. For example: https://app.nextmatter.com/portal/2974dc3c-61fd-40b4-a292-38117cef36e9?country=Spain&time=Monday
  2. When the user submits the data they entered in the form, the country and time become variables that can be reused throughout the workflow and are stored in the instance.

Image of data reference dropdown with portal variables highlighted

Notes:

  • The link can be shared with anyone (internal and external users)
  • If the parameters are not defined, a regular form link will still work
  • The data references created from the parameters are available in integration testing as instance metadata

Image of testscreen for integrations

  • The parameters don’t work with the QR code
  • Multiple parameters can be appended to the link
  1. Click Workflows > Create new… > Create a new workflow.
  2. Give your workflow a name.
  3. Add your steps to the workflow.
  4. In the left-hand panel, click the start item (under Overview).
  5. In the Workflow start options section, select Public form.
  6. In the Form configuration, select Use first step as public form
  7. In the Configure URL parameters, click + Add.
  8. Enter the Reference name and Parameter name. These can be the same.
  9. Copy the URL from the preview. You can insert the URL to your external apps.
  10. Click Save.