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Calling a third-party REST API with Nooxl Apps

To start automation processes outside Nooxl Apps, you can call an external REST API from a Nooxl model and pass data out of Nooxl Apps. First, a data connection of type "REST-API" is created in the Nooxl data integration, along with a data query with parameters. This can then be used in a Nooxl model in a query section.

Create a data integration in Nooxl Apps​

You can find the data integration under the corresponding app tab.

Data integration
  • 1 Create the data integration.
  • 2 Edit the data integration.
  • 3 The data-query command.
  • 4 The data-query parameters.

1. Create the data integration​

If you have sufficient permission and the license, you can store the URL and parameters of the third-party service for the call here.

2. Data integration REST_API with URL​

Data integration
  • A The connection type REST_API must be selected here.
  • B The connection string is entered as a JSON string with headers and url. Parameters can be used: {{parameter name}}. The parameters must be created in step 4.

3. Data-query command with body​

Data-query command
  • A NO_RESULT is selected here.
  • B The command text is entered as a JSON string with method and body. Currently only the method post can be used. Parameters can be used: {{parameter name}}. The parameters must be created in step 4.

4. Data-query parameter definition​

Data-query parameter
  • A The parameter name in braces {{parameter name}} is used to replace it, in both the data-query command text and the data connection's connection string, with values from a Nooxl model or the default value when the call runs.
  • B In addition to the classic data types, a CellRange passes a string array of rows with string arrays of columns: [["R1C1-Value"], ["R1C2-Value"] ], [["R2C1-Value"], ["R2C2-Value"] ] for a 2 rows x 2 columns array.
  • C If the parameter is not assigned in the Nooxl model section, the default value is inserted instead.
  • D The following options are available for parameters:
    • Option Optional: the parameter need not be assigned in the Nooxl model section.
    • Option Not modifiable: the parameter cannot be assigned in the Nooxl model section; the default value is always used.
    • Option Allow null values: null values are not treated as an error.

Using the data integration in a model section​

Once a data connection with a data-query command has been defined, it can be used in a Nooxl model.

Markups in the Nooxl model​

For our example, in the Nooxl model "Acquisition Quick Check", key figures for a real-estate acquisition are determined. The key figures and a status text are to be transmitted to a third-party system. For this, 3 markups are needed: 2 parameter ranges and 1 trigger range.

Markups of the section with the model in design mode


Markups of the data-query section with the Nooxl model in design mode

  • 1 The "KPIs" markup points to a cell range with result values for the KPIs parameter.
  • 2 The "Next step" markup contains values for the State parameter.
  • 3 The "Start flow" markup points to the "Start" cell for triggering the call.

Setting up the data-query section in the Nooxl model​

Editing a section with the model in design mode
  • 1 The data connection from the data integration is chosen here.
  • 2 A matching data-query command with its parameters from the data integration is chosen here.
  • 3 Markups are mapped to the parameter definitions, from which values for the parameter are read from the Nooxl model.
  • 4 For parameters of data type CellRange, options can be set:
    • Option Text: all values are read as text.
    • Option Headers: the range contains header rows.
    • Option Types: the data type of the values is determined automatically from the first row.
  • 5 The trigger for the call is set here. The call can happen, for example, manually on a click on the cell range, or automatically on save.

Calling the third-party API​

Calling the third-party API

Going forward, in our example model, after setting the "Next step" 1 to "Hand over to GF", the "Start" cell 2 can be clicked. The API call to the third-party service happens with the KPI values 3.