What is Jinja?

Jinja is a templating language for Python programming.

And if you're already confused... that's okay.

In the simplest terms, Jinja is the language we use to write powerful formulas inside of our Quickbase pipelines.

 Why use Jinja in your Pipelines?

Jinja allows you to write formulas within your pipeline, transforming the data as needed between two sources.

This means fewer 'helper' fields within your applications that would otherwise be necessary.

 What can you do with Jinja?

With Jinja, you can do so many different things! 

• Perform math by adding, subtracting, dividing, or multiplying values.
• Manipulate text by extracting the part you need or combining it with other fields or text strings.
• Modify text through the use of functions like replace, capitalize, and format.
• Mimic Quickbase functions like "Case" and "If" to create conditionalized results.
• Wrangle pesky date/time fields using time zone, time delta, and other time-based functions.
• Aggregate values from a search/query step creating counts, sums, and lists. THIS IS A HUGE ADVANTAGE TO USING JINJA

But that's not all!

 More stuff you can do with Jinja!

Along with the above, you can also do many other things that enhance your Jinja formulas.

• Access prior field values to capture the 'from' and 'to' state
• Set your own variables right in the Pipeline
• Clear values in your fields
• Add notes to your Pipeline steps
• Set default values when results are null
  
  

 What does Jinja look like?

If you've been using the old Pipeline designer, you've already seen Jinja in action. The double curly quotes placed around a field variable is a simple Jinja template... who knew!

{{ a.name }}

In the new Pipeline designer (check the toggle at the top of the Pipeline screen), switch to 'code mode' in any field by clicking on the </> icon. There you will see the Jinja!

Of course, you can do a whole lot more with Jinja! Here's an example with a more advanced use of Jinja:

{{ a.name.split(' ')[0]|upper|trim|default('empty',true) }}

For more information on Jinja see the resources below, or skip right to the good stuff and get the Intro to Jinja for Pipelines course today!

 RESOURCES:

Get the Quick Base Junkie Jinja Library referenced in this video

Ge the FREE Jinja Date & Time Cheat Sheet

Quickbase help resource on Jinja

Official Jinja documentation

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