Introduction
Actions are the fundamental building blocks of workflow automation in Robotic Process Automation (RPA). In Talos, Actions represent individual tasks or steps that are executed sequentially or conditionally to automate business processes. Each Action can perform a specific operation, such as interacting with applications, processing data, or making decisions based on predefined rules. By combining multiple Actions, you can design comprehensive RPA workflows that streamline repetitive tasks, reduce manual effort, and improve efficiency across your organization.
Browser Forward Action
Browser Forward Action performs a forward navigation operation on the active tab of the browser. It navigates the browser forward in its history, similar to clicking the forward button. You can optionally specify a URL to target a specific tab.
Browser Refresh Action
Browser Refresh Action performs a refresh operation on the selected tab of the browser. It reloads the current page content, similar to pressing F5 or clicking the refresh button. You can optionally specify a URL to target a specific tab.
Choose File Dialog Action
Choose File Dialog Action creates a pop-up dialog window that can be used to select one or more files / folders. It allows the user to interactively pick files or directories during workflow execution, storing the selected paths in a variable for use in subsequent actions.
Click Action
Click Action simulates a click of the specified mouse button on a specified control or screen point. It supports single and double clicks, multiple mouse buttons, and can target either a specific GUI element or an exact screen coordinate. Typical use cases include interacting with buttons, links, menus, and other UI elements during automation.
Close Application Action
Close Application Action closes a running application by its executable name or process ID (PID). It allows workflow automations to terminate applications that were previously opened or are no longer needed.
Close Spreadsheet Action
Close Spreadsheet Action closes a previously opened spreadsheet file. It releases the spreadsheet resource that was opened by an earlier action in the workflow, freeing system resources and ensuring data integrity.
Close Word Document Action
Close Word Document Action closes the currently opened Word document in a Word instance. It releases the document resource while keeping the Word application window open. This is useful when you need to close a specific document but continue working with the same Word instance.
Close Word Window Action
Close Word Window Action closes the currently opened Word application window entirely. Unlike Close Word Document, this action shuts down the entire Word instance. It optionally allows disabling close warnings to avoid save prompts during automated execution.
Confirm Dialog Action
Confirm Dialog Action creates a pop-up confirmation window for the user to respond to during workflow execution. It displays a customizable dialog with a title, content text, severity level, and configurable button combinations. The user's response is stored in a variable for use in subsequent workflow logic.
Copy File Action
Copy File Action copies the specified file (or files) to a destination directory. It supports handling existing files by either skipping or overwriting them, and stores the paths of the copied files in a variable for further use.
Delay Action
Delay Action halts the robot execution for a specified amount of time. It pauses the workflow for a configurable duration, which can be expressed in milliseconds, seconds, minutes, hours, or days. This is useful for waiting for external processes, adding pauses between actions, or implementing timed delays in automation workflows.
Delete File Action
Delete File Action deletes the specified file(s). It removes files from the file system and optionally stores the path(s) of the deleted file(s) in a variable for reference.
End Action
End Action indicates that the process should finish execution. It marks the termination point of a workflow. Every workflow must have an End Action to properly signal completion. This action does not have outgoing connections.
Execute Expression Action
Execute Expression Action evaluates the specified expression at runtime. It can be used to perform calculations, call functions, manipulate variables, or execute any valid expression supported by the Talos scripting language. This is useful for inline computations, side effects, or any expression evaluation that doesn't need to be tied to a specific variable assignment.
Execute Subprocess Action
Execute Subprocess Action executes a sub-process within the current workflow. It supports two types of sub-processes: Internal (embedded within the current workflow) and External (referencing a separate, standalone process). This allows for modular workflow design, code reuse, and breaking complex automations into smaller, manageable units.
Extract Web Data Action
Extract Web Data Action extracts data from a web page. It navigates to a specified URL and extracts data based on the configured extraction type. Currently supports extracting single values, with table-based extraction types planned for future releases.
Fetch Emails Action
Fetch Emails Action fetches emails that match the defined criteria from an IMAP email server. It supports filtering emails, optionally marking them as read, and saving attachments to a local directory. The fetched emails are returned as an array stored in an output variable.
Filter List Action
Filter List Action filters a list by comparing its items with a predicate expression, and outputs the matching items to a new list. This is useful for selecting specific elements from a collection based on dynamic conditions.
Find and Replace in Word Document Action
Find and Replace in Word Document Action searches and replaces one or all of the occurrences of a text with another text within a Word document. It supports replacing the first occurrence or all occurrences, and can optionally clear formatting of the found text before replacing.
Find in String Action
Find in String Action finds the position of a given string inside the input string. It returns the index of the first occurrence of the search string within the input, which is stored in an output variable for further use in the workflow.
Find Text in Word Document Action
Find Text in Word Document Action finds and selects text in a Word document that matches the defined criteria. It searches for specified text and can apply additional search criteria such as highlight color, font color, font size or style. The result (whether the text was found) is stored in an output variable.
Find Web Element Action
Find Web Element Action searches and finds an element on a web page by the given data. It supports multiple search strategies including by ID, name, class, XPath, CSS selector and more. The found element reference is stored in an output variable for use with subsequent actions like clicking or extracting data.
For Each Action
For Each Action iterates through all the values of a container variable. This action indicates the start of an execution loop that processes each item in a list or collection, one by one. The current item is stored in an iterator variable for use within the loop body.
For Loop Action
For Loop Action indicates the start of an execution loop that repeats until the condition evaluates to false. It combines a condition check and a step expression that is evaluated at each iteration, making it suitable for counter-based or condition-driven loops.
Get Files in Directory Action
Get Files in Directory Action gets all the file paths in a specified directory. It scans the given directory and returns a list of file paths, which is stored in a variable for use in subsequent actions such as loops or file operations.
Get Selected Text from Word Document Action
Get Selected Text from Word Document Action retrieves the text that is highlighted (selected) in an open Word document. The selected text is stored in an output variable for further processing in the workflow.
Get Substring Action
Get Substring Action returns a substring starting at the specified index with the specified length. It extracts a portion of a string based on a starting position and a character count, storing the result in an output variable.
Get System DateTime Action
Get System DateTime Action gets the current system date and time. It captures the current timestamp and formats it according to a configurable format string, storing the result in an output variable.
Invoke Web Service Action
Invoke Web Service Action allows your workflow to interact with external web services and APIs. It supports various HTTP methods, authentication types, and can handle both request and response data.
Launch Word Action
Launch Word Action launches a new Microsoft Word instance. It can optionally open a specific document or create a blank one. The Word instance reference is stored in an output variable for use with subsequent Word-related actions such as finding text, replacing content, or closing the document.
Actions Summary
This document provides a quick reference to all available actions in Talos, organized by category.
Add Formula To Cell
Add Formula To Cell Action is a spreadsheet action that enables the user to insert a formula into a specific cell of an open Excel (.xlsx) variable file. The formula is written to the cell but not evaluated or applied at the time of insertion.
Add New Sheet Action
Add New Sheet Action adds a new sheet to an already open spreadsheet file.
Add to List Action
Add to List Action adds a specified item to the end of a list.
Attach to Word Window Action
Attach to Word Window Action attaches to an existing instance of Microsoft Word.
Attach Action
Branch Action is a flow control action that enables conditional workflow branching based on specified criteria or expressions. It evaluates a given condition and, depending on the result (true or false), directs the automation flow to different subsequent actions. This allows for dynamic decision-making within workflow automations, supporting complex logic and adaptive process execution. Typical use cases include debugging, processing different data types, or responding to varying user inputs within an automated workflow.
Branch Action
Branch Action is a flow control action that enables conditional workflow branching based on specified criteria or expressions. It evaluates a given condition and, depending on the result (true or false), directs the automation flow to different subsequent actions. This allows for dynamic decision-making within workflow automations, supporting complex logic and adaptive process execution. Typical use cases include debugging, processing different data types, or responding to varying user inputs within an automated workflow.
Log Action
Log Action is a utility action that outputs messages, variable values, or diagnostic information to the output panel. It is commonly used for debugging, monitoring workflow execution, and providing user feedback during automation runs.
Logout Action
Logout Action is a system action that terminates the current user session and performs necessary cleanup operations. It ensures that all resources are properly released and all running applications are terminated.
Loop Start Action
Loop Start Action marks the beginning of a loop construct in a workflow. It defines the first and break actions allowing a sequence of actions to be repeated multiple times until a condition is met.
Merge Cells Action
Merge Cells Action is a spreadsheet action that combines multiple adjacent cells into a single cell. It is commonly used when creating headers, grouping related data, or formatting spreadsheets for better readability.
Message Dialog Action
Message Dialog Action displays a modal dialog box to the user with a customizable message. It is used for user notifications, confirmations, warnings, or to pause workflow execution until the user acknowledges the message.
Mouse Move Action
Mouse Move Action moves the mouse cursor to a specified screen position. It is commonly used for hover interactions or positioning before performing click operations on specific screen elements.
Move File Action
Move File Action relocates a file from one directory to another on the filesystem.
Next Loop Action
Next Loop Action skips the remaining actions in the current loop iteration and proceeds directly to the next iteration. It is commonly used within loop bodies to conditionally skip processing for certain items or to implement early continuation logic.
Open Application Action
Open Application Action launches a specified desktop application on the system. It is commonly used to start required programs before performing automation tasks or to initialize the environment for subsequent UI interactions.
Open Email Connection Action
Open Email Connection Action establishes a connection to an email server for subsequent email operations. It configures the connection parameters and authenticates with the mail server, preparing the environment for sending or receiving emails.
Open Spreadsheet Action
Open Spreadsheet Action opens an existing spreadsheet file for reading or editing operations. It loads the file into memory and provides access to cells, sheets, and data within the workbook for subsequent manipulation actions.
Open Web URL Action
Open Web URL Action navigates to a specified URL in a web browser. It is commonly used to access web-based applications, retrieve online data, or perform web automation tasks as part of a larger workflow.It can open in a new browser window, new tab, or reuse an existing browser instance.
Parse List From String Action
Parse List From String Action splits a string into a list of items based on a specified delimiter. It is commonly used to convert comma-separated values, tab-separated data, or other delimited text into structured list data for further processing.
Read CSV File Action
Read CSV File Action reads data from a CSV (Comma-Separated Values) file and converts it into a structured format for processing. It is commonly used to import data from spreadsheets, databases exports, or other tabular data sources.
Read Document OCR Action
Read Document OCR Action extracts text content from images or scanned documents using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology. It is commonly used to process invoices, receipts, scanned documents, or images containing textual information.
Read File Action
Read File Action reads the entire contents of a file from the filesystem and stores it in a variable. It is commonly used to load configuration files, text documents, or any file-based data for processing within a workflow.
Read Spreadsheet Cell Action
Read Spreadsheet Cell Action retrieves the value from a specific cell in an opened spreadsheet. It is commonly used to extract individual data points for processing, validation, or use in subsequent workflow actions.
Remove From List Action
Remove From List Action removes one or more items from a list at a specified position or matching a condition. It is commonly used to filter data, process items sequentially, or clean up lists during workflow execution.
Rename File Action
Rename File Action changes the name of an existing file on the filesystem. It can also move the file to a different directory by specifying a new path. It is commonly used for organizing files, versioning documents, or updating file names based on workflow data.
Replace In String Action
Replace In String Action replaces occurrences of a substring or pattern within a string with new text. It is commonly used for text sanitization, data transformation, formatting, or search-and-replace operations within workflow data.
Reverse List Action
Reverse List Action reverses the order of items in a list, making the last item first and the first item last. It is commonly used for processing data in reverse order, implementing undo functionality, or reordering results.
Save Word Document Action
Save Word Document Action saves changes to a Word document that was previously opened or created.
Send Email Action
Send Email Action sends an email message through a configured email server or connection. It is commonly used to notify users, send reports, deliver automated responses, or communicate workflow results.It requires an email connection context and sends the message to the specified recipients.
Send Keys Action
Send Keys Action sends keystrokes to the active application or UI element. It is commonly used for text input, keyboard shortcuts, navigation, or controlling applications that don't support other automation methods.
Set Format In Word Document Action
Set Format In Word Document Action applies formatting to text, paragraphs, or elements within a Word document. It is commonly used for document templating, report generation, or styling content based on workflow data.
Set Variable Action
Set Variable Action assigns or updates a value to a variable for use in subsequent actions within the workflow. It is a fundamental action for storing data, managing state, and passing information between different parts of an automation.
Shut Down Computer Action
Shut Down Computer Action shuts down the computer after completing all workflow operations. It is commonly used at the end of automation workflows that involve unattended processing, such as end-of-day tasks or batch processing jobs.
Sort List Action
Sort List Action arranges the items in a list in ascending or descending order based on specified criteria. It is commonly used for organizing data, preparing lists for display, or preparing for search operations.
Split String Action
Split String Action divides a string into multiple substrings based on a delimiter and returns the results as a list. It is commonly used for parsing CSV data, extracting parts of formatted text, or breaking down complex strings.
Start Action
Start Action marks the entry point of a workflow and is automatically placed at the beginning of every workflow. It represents where execution begins when the workflow is triggered or run manually.It is the mandatory starting point and connects to the first actionable step.
Take Screenshot Action
Take Screenshot Action captures the current screen content or a region and saves it on a specified object. It is commonly used for documentation, error reporting, audit trails, or capturing the state of applications during workflow execution.
Throw Exception Action
Throw Exception Action intentionally throws a custom exception to handle error conditions in a workflow. It is commonly used for validation, business rule enforcement, or to trigger error handling branches.
Wait For Tab Action
Wait For Tab Action pauses workflow execution until a specific browser tab is loaded or meets specified conditions. It coordinates workflow execution with web page loading events. It is commonly used after opening URLs, clicking links, or performing web automation that results in new browser tabs.
Wait For Trigger Action
Wait For Trigger Action pauses workflow execution until a predefined trigger event occurs. It is commonly used for event-driven automation, monitoring scenarios, or waiting for external inputs like file changes, system events, or scheduled times.
Write File Action
Write File Action writes content to a file, creating it if it doesn't exist or overwriting it if it does. It is commonly used for generating reports, saving processed data, creating configuration files, or exporting workflow results.
Write Spreadsheet Cell Action
Write Spreadsheet Cell Action writes a value to a specific cell in an opened spreadsheet. It is commonly used for updating data, filling in templates, recording results, or modifying existing spreadsheets.