AX2254
Using Scheduler to perform file collect
In the majority of cases, this is accomplished by creating a single batch report, and then running that report using a File Processing task in Scheduler. The batch report lists each report to process, and then the last report in the list would be the file collect report. For more information on setting up a report for batch processing, see Batch processing.
However, there may be times when you want the file collection to be a separate operation, not included within a batch report. For example, you may have decided to create a "batch" of reports by using multiple File Processing tasks in a Scheduler job, instead of using one batch report. In this case, there are two ways that you can perform file collect using Scheduler:
- You can create another File Processing task in the Scheduler job, and use it to process the file collect report.
- You can use the Collect Worksheets Scheduler task. This is a special task that is only available within Scheduler.
The basic file collect functionality is the same for both options. However, the file processing option has more robust features, and offers some additional setup advantages. For example, when using file processing to perform file collect, you can:
- Use additional features such as multipass processing, common files, email priority, email CC list, and the ability to send a notification email without attaching the file. You can also pull source files from the Axiom file system, and save the output file to the Axiom file system.
- Create settings and file lists using a spreadsheet interface. This allows use of formulas to complete settings, and may be a preferable user experience for some users.
On the other hand, the Scheduler task has fewer settings and therefore may be simpler to set up for smaller, on-the-fly jobs. Additionally, because all of the file collect settings are defined within Scheduler instead of a source file, you can use Scheduler job variables.
NOTE: When using file processing to perform file collect, you will not be able to override any file collect settings in the Scheduler task because they are defined in the special File Collect Configuration sheet, not in the File Processing Control Sheet. The only setting that you can override is the sheets to process. Alternatively, you may be able to use batch variables to "override" certain settings if necessary.
