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Version: 10.2.9

Maintain global variables

Global variables store common values used in different Business Processes (BPs) without hard-coding them in Bot Tasks. In particular, global variables can store the following information:

  • URLs of services, such as OCR REST service, web app login pages
  • Parameters, for instance, minimal DPI for document recognition, output file extension
  • Modes, for example, test or production
  • Strings, such as names, messages, translations
  • Timings, such as schedules and timeouts

Access global variables​

By default, all global variables are stored in Data Stores. To access them, navigate to Advanced > Data Stores > Global Variables.

In the Global Variables Data Store, variable names correspond to the column header names, and values are taken from the first row (if other rows exist, they are ignored). For more information on Data Stores, read the guide.

Insert and create global variables​

You can use and create global variables from a Business Process on the Workflow tab without manually creating Data Stores and adding columns to Field Schemes.

To create a global variable, follow the steps below:

  1. Insert the <var-global> plugin into your bot steps with a meaningful name attribute, for instance, as shown below:

    <export include-original-data="true">
             
           <single-column name="OCR">
               <var-global name="ocr_rest_url"/>
           </single-column>
        
           <single-column name="VDS">
               <var-global name="vds_params"/>
           </single-column>
        
           <single-column name="Timeouts">
               <var-global name="rpa_timeouts"/>
           </single-column>
             
    </export>
    info

    To name a global variable, use only lowercase alphanumeric characters and underscores, for example, ocr_parameters.

  2. Save the step and the BP. After that, you get the following warning: "Global variables used in Step_Name bot step are missing N values."

  3. Click the warning message. Alternatively, you can go to Run > Advanced Options > Global Variables.

  4. Click the Edit values button. The Global Variables Data Store is opened in the edit mode.

    note

    The Global Variables Data Store is available by default and cannot be deleted.

  5. Set values for all variables that are missing values and click Save.

  6. Return to the Global Variables tab and click the Refresh button.

  7. Click OK and save the BP.

tip

If global variables are set in Data Stores > Global Variables, you can use them in bot steps of other processes.