What is "replace strings" in D2L Intelligent Agents email?
"Replacing strings" refers to the process of swapping one set of characters in a text with another. Imagine you're editing a document and you decide to change all instances of "cat" to "dog." That's exactly what replacing strings is about, but it happens within computer programs or software. This can be done for many reasons, like fixing errors, updating information, or customizing messages to make them more relevant or personal. It's a basic yet powerful tool in programming and data processing, helping to ensure that the information being handled by software, such as intelligent agents, is accurate, up-to-date, and tailored to the user's needs or preferences.
What are some possible "strings" that I can replace in an email for Intelligent Agents?
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Replace String
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Description
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Where does it go?
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{InitiatingUser}
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The user who performs the action that meets the agent’s criteria
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Email address field
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{InitiatingUserAuditors}
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The auditors for the user who performs the action that meets the agent’s criteria
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Email address field
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{OrgName}
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The name of the organization
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Email body
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{OrgUnitCode}
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The code for the Org Unit
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Email body
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{OrgUnitName}
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The name of the Org Unit
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Email body
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{OrgUnitStartDate}
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The start date specified for the Org Unit
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Email body
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{OrgUnitEndDate}
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The end date specified for the Org Unit
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Email body
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{OrgUnitId}
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The org unit ID required to make quicklinks works
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Email subject line and email body
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{InitiatingUserFirstName}
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The first name of the initiating user
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Email body
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{InitiatingUserLastName}
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The last name of the initiating user
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Email body
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{InitiatingUserUserName}
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The username of the initiating user
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Email body
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{InitiatingUserOrgDefinedId}
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The Org Defined ID of the initiating user
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Email body
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{LastCourseAccessDate}
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The date the initiating user last accessed the course
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Email subject line and email body
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{LastLoginDate}
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The date the initiating user last logged in
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Email subject line and email body
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{LoginPath}
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The address of the login path for the site
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Email body
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How do I replace the words with strings?
First, determine why you need to replace strings in your email. Replace strings are specially formatted codes that can be entered into automated emails; they replace the need to enter information that might change from student-to-student. For example, to send a personalized message to each student in a class of 60, use the replace string {InitiatingUserFirstName}, and the names of the students will be filled in automatically.
Below is an example of an email using Replace Strings:
Are there other uses for Replace Strings?
In D2L, you can use Replace Strings in several course areas:
- Course Homepage Widgets
- Announcements
- Course descriptions (for modules, content items, etc.)
- Intelligent agent templates
- Mail Templates
- Grades when adding bulk feedback