Pick, type or calculate a value

Most step fields use the same control, with three ways to set a value:

• Input/Variable: use a workflow input, a variable, or an earlier step’s result. Choose it from the list.
• Specific value: type it. What you type is used exactly as written, braces and all.
• Calc: work it out with a formula.

Choosing a value

Input/Variable lists what’s available at that step:

• Workflow inputs: input.name, input.quantity and so on.
• Variables: by name.
• Earlier steps: each step’s outputs, under the step’s name. Entire output is the step’s whole result.

If a step’s fields depend on data that only exists when it runs, the list says so. You can still type the reference in Calc.

Formulas

In Calc, type {{ or press Ctrl+Space to choose an input, variable or earlier result. It goes in without braces, ready to use in the formula:

input.quantity * input.price

In text fields and JSON, a reference goes inside {{ }}, and the braces can hold a formula:

Hello {{input.name}}, your total is {{input.quantity * input.price}}.

References show as chips, like Look up row › Status, so you can read them at a glance. See Advanced JSON for how a {{ }} behaves inside JSON.

Warnings you might see

• “This workflow input is optional. A caller may leave it empty.” Supply a default, or handle the empty case.
• “This step may not run on every route, so its value can be empty.” The step is on a different branch.
• “This saved reference is no longer available.” The input, variable or step it pointed at no longer exists. Choose another value.

Renames

Renaming an input, variable or output updates every pick and formula that uses it. Text in a Specific value is never changed. If you typed {{input.name}} as a specific value, it stays exactly that.