Understanding Match Types

Match Types

Definition​

A large number of Library Templates have a Match Type field that allows you to select between Exact Match and Regex Match.

• Exact Match - Matches to a single file, using a combination of the Folder Name and File Name.

Exact Match is like searching for a specific file on your computer by its exact name and location.

Example: Looking for jan_data.csv inside your reports/monthly folder.

• Regex Match - Matches to multiple files, using regular expressions.

Regex Match is like using a smart search to find a bunch of files that follow a pattern.

Example: Searching for all files in reports/monthly that end in _data.csv (like jan_data.csv, feb_data.csv, etc.).

The Match Type selected affects the Source fields and the Destination fields differently. The names of these fields will differ based on the Template you've selected and the functionality of that Template.

• Source - If you're downloading files, this will be the vendor/tool. If you're uploading files, this will be Workflow's local file system.

• Destination - If you're uploading files, this will be the vendor/tool. If you're downloading files, this will be Workflow's local file system.

Exact Match​

Effects on Source​

When using Exact Match, the Template will look for a file that exactly matches (case sensitive) the combination of the provided Source Folder Name and Source File Name. When the folder name and file name are combined, we correctly format the / characters, so you don't need to worry about the difference between providing a folder as folder/structure, /folder/structure or folder/structure/.

When the Source is Workflow, leaving the Folder Name blank assumes that the file you want to match to lives in the home directory. When the Source is a vendor/tool, leaving the Folder Name blank assumes that the file you want to match to lives in the root directory.

Effects on Destination​

When using Exact Match, the Destination Folder Name and File name will be combined together and created exactly as you typed them.

If a Destination Folder Name is provided that doesn't already exist, it will be created.

If you leave Destination File Name empty, the original file name that you match to will be kept, stripped of the folder name.

Examples​

Assume that we are downloading files from a Vendor, and our vendor has the following file structure. Click through the tabs below to see how the inputs will change the resulting file matched to.

reports/
├─ customer_data.csv
├─ external/
│  ├─ geo_data.csv
├─ monthly/
│  ├─ jan_data.csv
│  ├─ feb_data.csv
│  ├─ mar_data.csv
├─ aggregated/
│  ├─ data_yearly.csv
│  ├─ data_quarterly.csv
│  ├─ data_monthly.csv
company_data.csv

• Original File Name

• New File Name

• No Match

Inputs

Result

The Template combines the folder and file name to interpret the source file as reports/monthly/jan_data.csv. One file is found that matches. Because the Destination File Name is empty, the original file name is kept in tact.

Regex Match​

Effects on Source​

When using Regex Match, the Template will first filter down to the folder provided under Source Folder Name. Next, it will then pull in every file that exists under your filter and its subfolders. Then, it will compare the names of these files to the regex provided under Source File Name. All matching file names are then looped through for downloading/uploading.

When the Source is Workflow, leaving the Folder Name blank will cause Workflow to search for all matches in the home directory and its subdirectories. When the Source is a vendor/tool, leaving the Folder Name blank will cause Workflow to search for all the matches in the root directory and its subdirectories.

Technically, all files names are a combination of their folder name and file name.

We look at the full file path, not just the file name. So reports/data.csv could be matched even if your pattern only seems to target the file name.

Technically, all files names are a combination of their folder name and file name. So a file named data.csv in a folder named reports is seen as reports/data.csv for the sake matching with regex. This can result in your regex matching to a file because of its folder name.

Effects on Destination​

If you provide a Destination File Name when Regex Match is used, and more than one file is matched to, we enumerate the files by adding _# to the end of the file name before the file extension.

What does enumerate mean? We’ll add numbers at the end to keep the files separate—just like naming photos vacation_1.jpg, vacation_2.jpg, etc., to avoid replacing the previous one

This prevents each file from being uploaded/downloaded with the same name, which would result in a single file being continuously overwritten.

For example, if you provided a Destination File Name of report.csv and your regex finds multiple matches, the files will be uploaded/downloaded as report_1.csv, report_2.csv, etc.

If you leave Destination File Name empty, the original file names that you match to will be kept, stripped of the folder name.

Examples​

Assume that we are downloading files from a Vendor, and our vendor has the following file structure.

reports/
├─ customer_data.csv
├─ external/
│  ├─ geo_data.csv
├─ monthly/
│  ├─ jan_data.csv
│  ├─ feb_data.csv
│  ├─ mar_data.csv
├─ aggregated/
│  ├─ data_yearly.csv
│  ├─ data_quarterly.csv
│  ├─ data_monthly.csv
company_data.csv

1. Fully Filtered Match

Result

The Template filters down to the folder of reports/monthly. In this folder, it finds 3 files that match the regex. The original file names are kept in tact.

2. Sub-Folder Match

Inputs

Result

The Template filters down to the folder of reports. In this folder, it finds a folder, monthly that matches the regex - so it includes all of its files. Additionally, it finds a file in the subfolder aggregated. Because the Destination File Name is empty, the files retain their original names.

3. Enumerated Destination Files

Inputs

Result

The Template does not filter down at all. Across all folders and subfolders, it finds 6 files that match the regex. It then proceeds to name all of them data_#.csv, due to enumeration logic.

4. Non-Enumerated Destination Files

Inputs

Result

The Template does not filter down at all. Across all folders and subfolders, it finds 1 file that matches the regex. It then proceeds to name it data.csv

Learn More​

• Learn Regex

• Test Your Regex