Tech Talks: Success – DREL Made Easy!
Your go-to guide for making form data work smarter, not harder..
What is DREL?
DREL, short for Data Reference Expression Language, is a powerful feature built into TrueContext that lets you pull specific pieces of data from your forms and use them wherever you need-like naming files, customizing emails, or sending info to cloud services. Think of it as a smart translator that turns form answers and metadata into dynamic, reusable expressions.
Instead of manually typing out names, dates, or customer info every time, DREL lets you use simple codes like %u[name] to automatically grab the user's name, or %d to insert the date the form was submitted. These expressions can be mixed with regular text to create personalized outputs that save time and reduce errors.
Whether you're organizing submissions, sending automated emails, or integrating with platforms like Salesforce or ServiceMax, DREL helps you make your data work harder for you-without needing to write complex code. It's like having a mini automation assistant built right into your forms.
With DREL, you can:
· Automatically name folders and files based on form answers
· Personalize emails with customer-specific info
· Filter and organize data before it goes to cloud services like Salesforce or ServiceMax
· Make your mobile app experience smoother by customizing submission names
How does DREL work?
DREL uses expressions made up of:
| Use Case |
Example |
|
References
|
These are shortcuts to specific data, like %u for the user or %d for the date. |
|
Properties
|
These tell the system what part of the reference you want. For example, %u[name] gives you the user's full name. |
| Static Text |
Just regular words you want to include, like "Form submitted by." |
What are some uses cases for DREL?:
| Use Case |
Description |
Example |
|
Use Unique IDs for precision
|
Reference answers using Unique IDs to ensure accuracy, especially in repeatable sections. |
%a[uniqueID] pulls the exact answer from a specific question or section. |
|
Mix and Match References and Static Text
|
Combine multiple DREL references with static text to build powerful expressions. |
Report for %u[name] on %d → Report for Jane Smith on 2025-07-07 |
| Escape Special Characters |
Use [#escape documentFormat] when working with formats like JSON or XML to avoid issues with characters like &, <, or ". |
[#escape documentFormat]%a[response] |
How do I validate DREL expressions?
The platform's 'Test DREL' feature lets you preview expressions using data from past submissions, helping you identify formatting issues or missing information.
Mastering DREL, Reference links:
If you're ready to supercharge your TrueContext workflows, DREL (Data Reference Expression Language) is the key. From building dynamic expressions to handling nested repeatable sections, DREL lets you tap into data with precision and flexibility. Start with the DREL Introduction, then dive into the Quick Reference and Full Reference Guide to sharpen your skills.
Need help with repeatable sections? Learn how to test and preview the DREL expressions you create.
And for real-world insights, check out these community posts: Success Using DREL and Extracting Repeatable Answers. Whether you're just starting or refining complex logic, these resources will help you harness the full potential of DREL.
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Manu Posada Padilla
Customer Success Manager
TrueContext
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