Finding/Replacing multiple Formula Tools in a Workflow

Question

Is there a way to find/replace a specific formula tool in a workflow?

I have a single workflow that uses 46 separate smaller workflows (not macros) to extract and reformat individual worksheets from a single input spreadsheet.  Each of the smaller workflows are identical with the exception of a single Filter Tool that identifies which worksheet from the input to process.  In each of the workflows is a Formula Tool that extracts and reconfigures pieces of string text.  After setting up all 46 smaller workflows I found an issue that I didn't account for in one of the formulas in the Formula Tool.  In a completely separate workflow, I fixed the formulas in the Formula Tool to correctly process the issue in the incoming text string but now I need to copy that Formula Tool into all 46 of the smaller workflows.  I can do it manually, one-by-one, but that would be exceedingly tedious and introduce the possibility for errors so, I really don't want to have to do it that way.

So my question is two-fold...can this be done and, if so, how?

As always...thanks!

DanFlint · Answer

Hi @DavidKennedy,

If you open a workflow in a text editor such as notepad, notepad++, sublime text etc. you will have access to the xml which defines your workflow.

Within here, you would be able to perform a find/replace as you would in any text file - with some of the text editors, you may be able to affect multiple files simultaneously with one find/replace operation if needed.

While there, you would also be able to find the xml for any new formulas that you wanted to implement and copy/paste it into other formula tools.

If you decide to go down this path, I would encourage you to take a backup of your original workflows in case one of your edits causes issues.

Hope this helps,

Dan

DavidKennedy · Answer

If it helps, here's a couple of screenshots of the formulas before and after I made the needed changes.

Before

After

Here's a screenshot of the formula tool inside one of the 46 smaller workflows.  I need to replace this formula tool, in all 46 workflows, with the new one I created that has the correct formulas.

gabrielvilella · Answer

Maybe the bigger question here is why are you doing this with multiple workflows rather than a macro? This sounds like something a batch macro would solve.