Variable Browser
Variable Browser
Click the 
(Variable Reference) icon in a field to use the variable browser to explore all of the variables available while building a workflow. This is a combination of variables from activities, global variables, workflow variables, incident response, and workflow output. If you want to update a variable value based on data retrieved in a workflow, use the Set Variables core activity.
To help workflow authors with content creation, target variable references have been added to the variable browser. If a workflow in its properties is configured to use a target or target group, you can open the variable browser and select the target references at the Workflow level. If an activity in its properties is configured to use a target or target group, its target references display at the Activities level. The target type is automatically populated based on the type that the action supports and will further list the input and output variables for you to select the properties of the target.
To ensure your variables are correctly configured and accessible, follow the recommendations for the Browse Variables window given below.
Workflow output variables have default properties including:
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Started By (ID) - Email address of the user who ran the workflow, or ID of the automation rule or schedule.
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Started By (Type) - What initiated the workflow, such as "by user," "incident automation rule," or "playbook task."
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Workflow Result - Free-text property (can also be written in Markdown language) to communicate the results of the run.
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Workflow Result Code - Auto-populated string that indicates the outcome of the workflow. For more information, see the Workflow Intent Help topic.
Understanding Variable Restrictions in the Browse Variables Window
If you see grayed-out items in the Browse Variables window, it indicates that the variable cannot be selected for the current field. This is typically due to data type mismatches, scope limitations, or the hierarchical structure of the workflow. To ensure a seamless workflow design, please consider the following recommendations:
Data Type Alignment
The system performs automatic validation to ensure that the data type of the variable matches the requirements of the field where you clicked the Variable Reference icon. When selecting a variable, ensure its data type aligns with the requirements of the target field. For instance, if a field expects a String, the system will automatically disable variables of other types, such as Integers, to prevent configuration errors. Selecting a variable that matches the field's expected data type will ensure it remains selectable.
Therefore, ensure that the variable you are attempting to select matches the expected data type of the target field.
Managing Scope and Visibility
Variables are available only within the scope in which they are defined. The system cannot predict which path will be taken at runtime, outputs from activities inside conditional branches or loops are restricted to those specific areas.
To make data from an activity inside a conditional branch or a loop available elsewhere in the workflow, you must assign the output to a local variable. This ensure the data is available for use regardless of the execution path throughout the broader workflow.
Hierarchical Navigation
The variable browser is hierarchical, reflecting the structure of your workflow. We recommend navigating the browser in the same order as your workflow is constructed. If you are attempting to access a variable, you must be positioned at a point in the workflow where that variable has already been initialized or defined in the hierarchy. By following the logical flow and nesting of your activities, you ensure that you are positioned at a point in the hierarchy where the required variables have already been initialized and are available for selection.