Step 1: Choose some number 2 or more and then hit 'Apply and Close'. This will add that many cylinders into the scene. The cylinders will be put in the group 'object_instance_grp1'. A new UI box will also appear.

Step 2: In the attribute Choose Lead, you can either put in the name of a cylinder from the group 'object_instance_grp1' or type in 'None'.

(a) If you type in 'None', the program will select the object closest to the origin and then the remaining objects will spiral around it.

(b) If you type in an object from 'object_instance_grp1' , that object will move along a set path and the remaining objects will follow it.

Don't worry if you mistype something. The script will output to try inputting these other options.

Step 3: Hit the Apply button to key the paths of the objects. If you wish to playblast the animation, click render. Otherwise, you can click the X in the top right hand corner and the objects will still be keyframed.

Video:

Generated using UI attributes: Number of Objects= 20 and Choose Lead = None