Appian ACD101 Exam Dumps & Practice Test Questions

Question 1:

How can a developer create a reusable, visual toolbar with three sentiment icons (sad, neutral, happy) that appears at the bottom of every page in a low-code application like Appian?

A. An interface, because the component must render user interface elements
B. An expression rule, because the component captures expressions of user sentiment for analysis
C. A decision, because the component captures a choice that users select from an array of custom selection components, rather than a standard dropdown or radio button

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

To design a small toolbar that visually collects user sentiment and appears consistently at the bottom of each page in an application, the most appropriate object type in a low-code environment like Appian is an interface. Interfaces are specifically built to define user-facing elements such as layouts, forms, icons, and buttons. They support interactivity and are meant to handle input directly from users, which is precisely what this sentiment toolbar requires.

By creating the sentiment toolbar as a reusable interface, developers can easily embed it within multiple other interfaces or pages using interface references or shared UI layouts. This ensures uniformity across all pages, simplifies maintenance, and supports scalability as the application grows or evolves. Each icon (sad, neutral, happy) can be tied to an action or variable that records the user's sentiment selection, allowing for efficient feedback collection.

Why expression rules are not suitable:
Although expression rules are reusable and good for logic processing or calculations, they do not produce visual output. An expression rule can support underlying logic for sentiment interpretation or data storage, but it cannot display interactive elements directly. Therefore, relying solely on an expression rule would not meet the need to render and display a visual toolbar.

Why a decision object is inappropriate:
Decision objects are used to encapsulate business logic or decision tables, typically operating behind the scenes. They analyze inputs and determine outputs based on predefined rules, making them valuable for workflow automation. However, decisions are non-visual and cannot be used to construct or render any part of the user interface.

In summary, the toolbar needs to be visual, interactive, and reusable, which makes the interface object the correct choice. It allows consistent placement across the application, handles user interaction, and supports the display of feedback icons. The use of expression rules or decisions can complement the logic of sentiment evaluation, but only an interface can present this functionality to users effectively on every screen.

Question 2:

When creating a new Appian application called "Acme" and choosing to auto-generate the structure for organizing and securing objects, which two user groups are automatically created to support role-based access? (Select two.)

A. ACM Administrators
B. ACM Designers
C. ACM Viewers
D. ACM Users

Correct Answer: A and D

Explanation:

In Appian, when you create a new application and opt to automatically generate groups and folders to secure and organize objects, the platform helps you build a foundational access control structure. This is especially useful for maintaining consistent role-based access across your application. When you select this option, Appian automatically creates two primary user groups by default — Administrators and Users — each prefixed with your application’s designated prefix (in this case, ACM for "Acme").

ACM Administrators (Correct):
This group is intended for users who will manage the application. Members typically have full administrative permissions, allowing them to configure object-level security, create or update components, and maintain the overall integrity of the application. They usually have access to all design-time and runtime objects. Having this group automatically created streamlines security assignment and reduces the chance of misconfigured access.

ACM Users (Correct):
This group consists of the end users of the application — individuals who interact with the app's interfaces and workflows. They do not have design permissions, but they need access to run processes and view interface content. Creating this group by default ensures a clear separation between designers and users and simplifies permission assignment for common functionality.

Why the other options are incorrect:

B. ACM Designers:
Although the concept of "designers" exists in Appian, there is no group specifically named “ACM Designers” created automatically during app initialization. Designers are generally added via environment-level permissions, not as part of auto-generated application-specific groups.

C. ACM Viewers:
Similarly, a "Viewers" group is not generated by default. If an application requires specific viewing roles that differ from standard users, this group must be created manually.

In conclusion, ACM Administrators and ACM Users are the two groups that are created automatically when you choose to generate groups and folders in Appian. These groups play an essential role in defining and enforcing access control, allowing your application to follow best practices in role-based security from the outset.

Question 3:

You are managing a data-synced record type in Appian called Product, which is linked to a database table. One of the fields in this record type is no longer used anywhere in the application. 

To maintain a cleaner data model and improve overall maintainability, what is the recommended way to safely remove this unused field?

A. Delete the field from the record type and optionally delete the column from the database table
B. Delete the field from the Product CDT and perform a full resync of the record type
C. Delete the column from the database table and perform a full resync of the record type

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

When dealing with Appian’s data-synced record types, it’s important to manage changes thoughtfully to avoid disrupting the underlying data synchronization process. The Product record type in this case is integrated with a backing database table, and your goal is to remove a field that is no longer necessary in the application. The correct and safest method is to delete the field directly from the record type, which eliminates it from the Appian data model. This change does not require removing the database column, although you can choose to do so later for cleanup.

Why Option A is Correct:

Deleting the field directly from the synced record type removes its reference in Appian's metadata layer. This means that field is no longer accessible in queries, expressions, interfaces, or any downstream processes. However, since Appian uses its own synchronization layer, it does not depend on the database column once the field is deleted from the record type.

Additionally, removing a field from the record type does not trigger or require a full resync. This operation is lightweight and fully supported. You may optionally delete the database column afterward, but this is not necessary unless you are aiming to clean up the table at the database level as well.

Why Option B is Incorrect:

Custom Data Types (CDTs) are not relevant in this context. Data-synced record types in Appian do not rely on CDTs to define their schema. Instead, their structure is inferred directly from the database table during the initial sync. Modifying a CDT and resyncing is unnecessary and ineffective here. Furthermore, performing a full resync might introduce unintended sync failures if the column hasn’t been managed properly.

Why Option C is Incorrect:

Deleting the column directly from the database table first can result in sync errors if the Appian record type still expects that field to be present. If Appian tries to sync and cannot find the expected column, it will throw errors, potentially breaking the application’s functionality. It is always recommended to remove the field from the Appian record type before making schema changes in the database.

In summary, the correct and Appian-approved method to cleanly remove an unused field is to delete it from the record type first. The database column can remain if needed or be removed later, but that action should follow—not precede—the record type change.

Question 4:

You have configured a record action in an Appian application and want to make it available only to certain users, such as members of a specific group or those meeting certain conditions. How should you control its visibility so that only eligible users can see or execute the action?

A. Apply security settings directly on the process model linked to the record action
B. Set access control on the user object itself
C. Define visibility rules directly within the record action using an expression

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

Appian provides flexible control mechanisms for managing visibility and access to record actions—these are typically buttons or options that initiate processes from within a record view. To ensure proper role-based access or conditional availability, visibility should be managed directly in the record action configuration through expressions written in Appian Expression Language (AEL).

Why Option C is Correct:

Appian allows developers to attach dynamic visibility expressions to record actions. These expressions are evaluated at runtime to determine whether the logged-in user should see and be able to use a specific action. For example:

Such expressions allow for granular and context-aware access control, enabling record actions to appear only when appropriate. This is particularly helpful in environments with multiple user roles, where each user should only see the actions relevant to their responsibilities or permissions.

This method ensures that the user interface remains uncluttered, that sensitive functions are hidden from unauthorized users, and that users can only trigger workflows they’re permitted to access. It also simplifies maintenance, as visibility logic is centralized within the record action’s configuration.

Why Option A is Incorrect:

Setting security on the process model governs who can execute or interact with the process after it is launched—not who can see or initiate the record action. Therefore, while process model security is important, it doesn’t control action visibility in the UI. A user may see the action and attempt to launch it, only to encounter a permission error.

Why Option B is Incorrect:

Appian does not recommend managing access at the individual user object level. This method lacks scalability and becomes difficult to maintain as the application grows. Instead, Appian promotes group-based access control and visibility logic through expressions. Managing security via roles or groups ensures cleaner, centralized administration.

To conclude, the best and most maintainable method for controlling who can view or execute a record action is to use an expression-based visibility rule on the record action itself. This ensures that access is tailored to the user’s context and meets enterprise-level security and usability standards.

Question 5:

You're tasked with automating a routine task that involves interacting with a third-party system, which does not expose any API or integration interface. This task requires actions such as navigating through user interfaces, copying text from fields, and entering data into forms. 

Which Appian capability is most appropriate for handling this type of task?

A. Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
B. Process Mining
C. Connected Systems

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

When dealing with external systems that lack API integration or modern connectivity options, Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is the best-fit solution. Appian’s RPA capability allows organizations to simulate human-like interactions with software interfaces to automate repetitive, rule-driven tasks. These actions include things like clicking buttons, typing text into form fields, copying data, and navigating GUI elements—exactly the types of tasks required in systems that don't expose APIs or webhooks.

In Appian, RPA is tightly integrated with its low-code environment, enabling developers to orchestrate bot actions within broader workflows. For instance, if a team needs to pull data from a legacy insurance application that only offers a GUI and no API, RPA bots can log in, locate specific records, extract data, and populate other systems or databases—all without user intervention.

Appian RPA supports both attended (human-assisted) and unattended (fully automated) execution, making it highly versatile. This becomes particularly valuable when automating tasks across disparate platforms or systems with no available programmatic interfaces.

Now, examining the incorrect choices:

• B. Process Mining is a valuable analytics tool in Appian that examines event logs to help visualize and optimize workflows. While it helps identify process inefficiencies, it does not perform automation tasks or interact with external interfaces.

• C. Connected Systems refer to Appian’s ability to link with external services through protocols such as REST, SOAP, or JDBC. However, this approach requires those systems to offer APIs or service endpoints. Since the given scenario explicitly states that no API or direct integration method is available, connected systems cannot be used.

Thus, in scenarios requiring GUI-level interaction with systems that don’t expose APIs, Appian RPA offers the right automation approach. It increases efficiency, reduces human error, and minimizes the burden of repetitive manual work, making it an essential tool in modern digital operations.

Question 6:

In Appian, you’re analyzing the behavior of the expression: union(ri!fruit, ri!vegetables), where both ri!fruit and ri!vegetables are text arrays. What will this expression return?

A. A list containing all items from both arrays, including duplicates
B. A list containing only items common to both arrays
C. A list of all unique elements from both arrays, with duplicates removed

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

The union() function in Appian is designed to merge multiple arrays while eliminating any duplicate entries. When two arrays are passed to union(), it treats them as sets and returns a new array that includes each unique element from all input arrays—preserving the order of their first appearance.

Here’s how it works with a real example:Even though “apple” and “banana” are found in both arrays, they appear only once in the result. The function keeps the order based on when the element first appears while ensuring that each value is included only one time.

Let’s evaluate the incorrect options:

• A. This describes behavior similar to concatenation using append() or &, which combines the arrays without removing duplicates. However, union() explicitly removes duplicates, so this is incorrect.

• B. This is the behavior of the intersection() function, which would return only values shared between both arrays (in the example, just “apple” and “banana”). That’s not what union() does.

Therefore, C is the correct and accurate behavior. The union() function is incredibly useful when you're looking to consolidate data from multiple sources while preventing redundancy. It's a clean and efficient way to generate a distinct list of values and is particularly beneficial in use cases like dropdown lists, merging form inputs, or removing duplication from dynamic user-generated content.

By understanding the distinction between array-manipulation functions in Appian, developers can better control data integrity and user experience within their applications.

Question 7:

You’re building an Appian process model that must receive input data—such as user selections from an interface, actions from a record, or values from a web service—at the time the process is launched. 

What configuration must be made in the process model to allow external data to be passed into it upon initiation?

A. Set the Parameter field to "True" for the relevant process variable
B. Define new process variables in the Data Management tab of the Process Model Properties
C. Attach an interface as the Process Start Form to the process model

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

In Appian, process models frequently need to receive data from external sources at the moment they are triggered. These sources might include record actions, Web APIs, interfaces, or other processes. For this data to be successfully received and used within the process, the process model must be configured to accept inputs in a specific way.

The core mechanism for passing data into a process model lies in the process variables. These variables hold data that is accessed and manipulated during process execution. However, not all process variables are eligible to receive external input unless they are explicitly marked as parameters.

To enable this:

• Navigate to the Process Variables tab within the process model.

• Open the configuration for the specific variable you want to make available for input.

• Enable the “Parameter” checkbox and set it to True.

By doing this, you allow external systems to map data directly to that process variable when the process starts. For instance, when launching a process through a record action, Appian will prompt you to map values to any parameterized process variables, making data exchange seamless.

Let’s consider the other options:

B. Define process variables in the Data Management tab:
Although you can manage process data settings in the Data Management tab, simply defining a variable there does not make it capable of receiving incoming data at start. It must explicitly be marked as a parameter on the Process Variables tab.

C. Attach an interface as a Process Start Form:
Start forms are useful when you want users to manually provide input at runtime via a UI. However, a start form is not a requirement for sending data into a process. You can still inject data from other sources (like a record action or API) as long as the relevant variables are set as parameters.

In conclusion, if your process model needs to receive input at initiation, setting the Parameter field to True for the appropriate variables is the essential step. This approach gives your process model the flexibility to start with meaningful data, driven by actions elsewhere in the application.

Question 8:

You are building a customer onboarding solution in Appian, and part of the workflow involves customers submitting important documents like ID proofs and signed agreements. These documents must be securely stored, categorized, and easily retrievable by internal users. 

Which two components are essential for achieving this in Appian?

A. Knowledge Center
B. Decision Object
C. Folder
D. Feed

Correct Answers:  A and C

Explanation:

In Appian, storing and organizing uploaded documents—especially when dealing with sensitive or case-based information like in a customer onboarding flow—requires careful configuration. The two foundational components used for this purpose are Knowledge Centers and Folders.

Let’s break down how each works:

A. Knowledge Center:
A Knowledge Center is the top-level document management structure in Appian. Think of it as a secure digital repository or workspace where different folders and document sets are housed. You can configure access permissions at the Knowledge Center level, making it easy to manage visibility and control for teams or departments. For example, an onboarding team may have access to a Knowledge Center titled "Customer Onboarding Documents", ensuring that only authorized users can view or manage customer files.

C. Folder:
Inside a Knowledge Center, you create Folders, which are the actual containers that hold documents. These folders can be:

• Static, created and maintained manually,

• Or dynamic, generated programmatically at runtime (e.g., per customer or case).

Each folder can be assigned its own security rules and can store multiple files, such as passport scans, utility bills, and contracts. You might structure folders by customer ID or case number, making document retrieval efficient and organized.

Why the other options are incorrect:

B. Decision Object:
This is used for modeling business rules and decision logic, such as eligibility checks or approval flows. It has no role in document storage.

D. Feed:
Feeds are designed for collaboration, similar to activity streams or message boards, and are not intended for managing or storing documents in a structured way.

In summary, for secure and scalable document handling in Appian—particularly in document-intensive applications like customer onboarding—you must utilize Knowledge Centers to organize your document repositories and Folders to hold and segregate individual document sets. These two components ensure proper document management, access control, and process integration within Appian.

Question 9:

Which of the following best describes the purpose of an Appian Interface object in an application?

A. It stores data in Appian's internal database
B. It defines process logic for workflow automation
C. It provides the user interface for displaying and entering information
D. It manages the security roles within the application

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

In Appian, an Interface object is a key component used to define how users interact with the application. These interfaces are designed using SAIL (Self-Assembling Interface Layer), Appian’s powerful declarative language for creating dynamic, responsive forms and dashboards.

Option C is correct because the Interface object provides the actual visual layout and logic for displaying data, collecting user input, and interacting with other objects like records or process models. For example, an Interface may contain form fields for entering customer information, display real-time data from a record, or show charts and reports to the user.

Let’s evaluate the incorrect options:

• A is incorrect because data storage in Appian is managed using Data Stores and Records, not Interfaces. While an Interface might display data, it doesn’t store it.

• B is incorrect because Process Models are used to define workflow logic and business process automation, not Interfaces.

• D is incorrect because security and access control are managed using Groups, Roles, and Object-Level Security, not Interface objects.

Appian interfaces are designed to be modular and reusable, which helps developers create flexible user experiences. They can be embedded in record views, tasks, reports, and even other interfaces. Developers often use interface rules to encapsulate logic and formatting, making them easy to maintain and scalable across applications.

In the ACD101 exam, you’re expected to understand where interfaces fit in the overall Appian architecture, how they’re used in conjunction with other objects, and how they respond dynamically to user inputs or variables. Understanding the difference between Interface objects and other core Appian components—like Records, Process Models, and Data Stores—is fundamental.

Question 10:

What is the primary role of a Record Type in an Appian application?

A. It defines the user access permissions for different roles
B. It organizes UI layouts and forms for users
C. It provides a structured way to model and view business data
D. It stores configuration data used in application rules

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

A Record Type in Appian serves as a centralized representation of business data, providing structure, logic, and views for interacting with that data. It abstracts the underlying data source—whether it’s a database, web service, or Appian process—and presents it in a way that users and developers can work with effectively.

The correct answer is C because Record Types allow developers to model business entities like Employees, Orders, or Tickets and associate views, relationships, filters, and actions with them. Record Types help build meaningful user experiences by defining how data should be presented and interacted with inside the application.

Let’s break down the incorrect answers:

• A is incorrect. While you can apply security settings to Record Types, their main function is not to define user roles—that’s managed by Groups and Permissions in Appian.

• B is incorrect because Interfaces are the component responsible for organizing user forms and UI layouts, not Record Types.

• D is incorrect as Record Types do not primarily store configuration data. Instead, Constants or Rule Inputs are more appropriate for storing static configuration information.

Key features of Record Types include:

• Record Views: Define how each record instance is displayed to users.

• Record Actions: Allow users to initiate related workflows directly from a record (e.g., updating or deleting an entry).

• Related Actions and Relationships: Enable linking different record types together to model complex relationships like one-to-many or many-to-one.

Understanding how to configure, reference, and use Record Types is critical for passing the ACD101 exam. You will often be tested on how to create a Record Type, configure its source (e.g., database or web API), and how to use it in interfaces and reports. A strong grasp of Record Types empowers developers to create scalable and business-aligned Appian applications.