Variable data types

All variables have a data type that determines what kind of values it can store, such as a date, a number, a file path or a piece of text. Configuration fields also have data types they accept. You can only add a variable of an accepted data type into a configuration field.

Example: If you want to insert an email address into a configuration field and the configuration field only accepts Text variables, then you must create a variable of Text type.

Data Type Description Optional default value Set value to null
Text Text string. This type of variable can be used to store information such as an employee name, username, or any other string. Yes Yes
Decimal Numerical values with a decimal point. Yes Yes
Integer Numerical with no decimal point. Yes Yes
Boolean Yes or No. Yes Yes
DateTime A date that's combined with the time. YYYY-MM-DD, HH:MM AM/PM. Yes Yes
File

Path to a file within a file storage system. A file path must start with the root folder and end with the file name. For example, /Draft/Contracts/ACME.docx.

No No
Collection

A variable that groups one or more variables of the same type into an ordered list. For more information, see collection actions Collection operations actions. For example, a collection variable named Company name can hold a list of names, such as Safalo, Nintex, and Drawloop.

 No No
Object

A variable that groups several variables of any type into a hierarchical structure. Objects can contain other Objects. Objects are useful to group variables together and organize variables in a hierarchical structure. Objects are created by actions, so they can't be created or modified in the Variables panel. For example, an Object variable named Company can hold a list of nested variables such as company name, email, address, and phone number.

For more information about using Objects in a form, see Workflow Objects.

Example: 

An Object variable named Building has the following structure: 

  • Building (Object)
    • Number of floors variable (Integer)
    • Number of elevators variable (Integer)
    • Architectural style variable (Text)
    • Address (Object)
      • Street number variable (Integer)
      • Street name variable (Text)
      • City variable (Text)
Example: 

An Object variable named Workflow initiator is a Start event context variable and has the following structure:

  • Workflow initiator (Object)
    • First name variable (Text)
    • Last name variable (Text)
    • Email variable (Text)

In the Variables or Insert variables dialog box (see Use variables in your workflow) there is a Start event context variable set. You can drill down into the Workflow initiator Object variable, and the variables within the Object.

 No No
Collection of Objects

An ordered list of objects with the same variable structure. Collections of objects are created by actions. They can't be created or modified in the Variables panel.

Example: Companies is a Collection of objects variable. It holds an ordered list of Company details objects for the companies Safalo, Nintex, and Drawloop. Each Company details object holds several fields detailing the company name, email, address, and phone number.

No No