PM Blocks
Understand what PM Blocks are in ProcessMaker Platform.
What is a PM Block?
A PM Block is a reusable Process Modeler object composed of a set of other objects to serve a specific purpose or function. Process Designers may place into a Process a PM Block as its own Process Modeler object and then configure it as its own functional unit. The Process Designer developing a business solution need not have the technical skills to have composed the PM Block, but be able to quickly place it into Process models and other PM Blocks.
PM Blocks have the following attributes:
PM Blocks are pre-built, packaged Processes: PM Blocks are ready-to-use, packaged Processes with their own configuration settings designed by the PM Block author who built the PM Block. PM Blocks are no-code to place in Process Modeler.
PM Blocks are reusable: PM Blocks are reusable by any Process Designer with appropriate permissions, and then configured for each business solution. Configuration settings, such as authentication to a third-party service, are separate from the objects composing the PM Block. This allows PM Blocks be quickly configured and deployed regardless of technical expertise or the involvement of Administrators.
Use PM Blocks in Processes and other PM Blocks: Use a PM Block in a Process or to build other PM Blocks. PM Blocks become modular, manageable components within your business solution design.
Configure custom settings for a PM Block: While building a PM Block, configure custom settings and global variables that the Process Designer using the PM Block uses to implement that PM Block.
Built in Process Modeler: PM Blocks are built from Process Modeler, saved as a Process, and then saved as a PM Block. Process Designers can design complex functionality that other Designers may leverage with no technical skills.
Save a Process as a PM Block: Any user with appropriate permissions may save a Process as a PM Block and/or use a PM Block in a Process model.
Built PM Blocks are accessible from Process Modeler for Process design: Within Process Modeler, PM Blocks are available in a separate tab in the left-side panel, adjacent to the ProcessMaker BPMN elements and connectors. With the appropriate permissions, a Process Modeler may place a PM Block as its own object, and then configure it with the configuration settings built for that PM Block.
Export and Import PM Blocks: Export PM Blocks that may be imported to other ProcessMaker Platform instances. While exporting, optionally lock the PM Block from being edited or configured. When locked, that PM Block may only be used in Processes and other PM Blocks but no revised.
View all PM Blocks
Follow these steps to view PM Block Categories:
Log on to ProcessMaker Platform.
Click the Designer option from the top menu. The Designer Welcome Screen displays.
The Categories tab displays the following information in tabular format about PM Block Categories:
Name: The Name column displays the name of the PM Block Category. The PM Block Category named Uncategorized is the default Category.
Status: The Status column displays the status of the PM Block Category. Below is a description of each status:
Active: Active PM Block Categories can have PM Blocks assigned to them. The PM Block Category named Uncategorized is active by default.
Inactive: Inactive PM Block Categories cannot have PM Blocks assigned to them.
PM Blocks: The # PM Blocks column displays how many PM Blocks in your organization have been assigned to that PM Block Category.
Modified: The Modified column displays the date and time the PM Block Category was last modified. The time zone setting to display the time is according to the ProcessMaker Platform instance unless your user profile's Time zone setting is specified.
Created: The Created column displays the date and time the PM Block Category was created. The time zone setting to display the time is according to the ProcessMaker Platform instance unless your user profile's Time zone setting is specified.
Create a PM Block
Import a PM Block
Click the Import button. See Import a PM Block.
Edit a PM Block
Otherwise, the Edit PM Block option is not available.
Configure a PM Block
Export a PM Block
Archive a PM Block
No PM Blocks?
If no PM Blocks exist, the following message displays: No Data Available
Search for a PM Block
Use the Search function to filter all PM Blocks from the PM Blocks page based on your entered text.
Follow these steps to search for a PM Block:
View your PM Blocks. The PM Blocks page displays.
Enter in the Search setting the text to filter Screens using any of the following criteria:
Name: Filter by the PM Block name that displays in the Name column.
Description: Filter by the PM Block description that displays below the name for each PM Block.
Category: Filter by the PM Block Category name that displays in the Category column.
Author: Filter by the name of the user who built the PM Block.
Version: Filter by the version of the PM Block.
Version Date: Filter by the version date of the PM Block that displays in the Version Date column.
As you enter text into the Search setting, PM Blocks display that match your entered text.
If there are no search results, the following message displays: No Results.
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