# Pre-load actions

The **Pre-Load Actions** window lists actions to be run automatically before a FastStats load starts.

- **Add action** inserts another action into the run list.
- **Edit action** allows you to change the properties of the currently selected action.
- **Remove action** removes the highlighted action from the list (does not delete any files).
- **Up / Down** move the highlighted action to modify the run sequence.
- **Run checked actions** runs the actions that have a tick next to them.
- **Run highlighted actions** runs the actions currently highlighted by the cursor.

All actions can be given a description.

Add an action by clicking **Add Action**. A dialog will appear showing the available actions — choose one and click **OK**:

## Clean system

The clean system action removes old files left over from previous builds, including:

- **Extract files** — temporary files created when Designer extracts data from a database
- **Temporary files** — temporary files created when Designer builds indexes or other files used during the data load
- **Old system files** — files that make up an old FastStats system
- **Old log files** — log files
- **Old cache files** — cache files created during virtual variable processing

Some temporary files can be re-used on subsequent builds if the incoming data has not changed; cleaning them will reduce load performance in those cases.

## Wait for file

The wait for file action checks for the existence of the specified file:

- If the file exists, the build continues
- If the file does not exist, the build waits until either the file exists or the user clicks **Cancel**

## Convert encoding

Use this action to convert an input file from an encoding that Designer does not directly support to one that it does.

## Strip control characters

Some input files contain ASCII control characters. This action scans through the input data file and replaces the specified ASCII characters with the space character.

> [!WARNING]
>
> This action works in-place on the input file and does not make a copy. Be sure not to accidentally strip any delimiter characters your file contains.

A report is added to the progress window detailing the number of control characters found or replaced.

## Run query

The run query action causes FastStats Designer to run a database query to retrieve a value for the specified environment variable.

## Prompt

The prompt action causes FastStats Designer to display a dialog asking the user to enter a value for the specified environment variable.

## Send email

The send email action sends an email to the specified address. This is typically used to inform an administrator that a build is about to start.

Define an email credential on the [Credentials](<https://help.apteco.com/en/designer/system-configuration/credential-manager/index.md>) tab of System Configuration.

Your message can be entered as text or HTML in the **Edit Message** dialog:

## Command action

The command action allows Designer to run a Windows program or batch command file before the load has started.

The command runs with Designer's system and user environment variables set, and a number of optional parameters passed.

### Running a PowerShell script

To run a PowerShell script, turn off the Parameters option: