Add a variable to a workflow

You can insert a Workflow Variable, Reference A workflow reference which is used to construct content containing information specific to the list or library item and to the current instance of the workflow. or a Context Variable into the configuration fields of workflow actions A tool for building the processes, logic, and direction within workflows. Actions are the steps the workflow performs to complete a process..

Each field that accepts variables accepts one or more methods for inserting variables. The method available differs depending on the field.

Available methods are given below:

• Click on the field and select an existing variable from the drop-down list for the field.

• Click on the field, click Create New Variable, and fill the following fields in the Workflow Variable pane that appears:
  1. For Name, type the variable name you want to use.
  2. Select the Show on start form check box if you want to display the variable on the start form.
  3. Click Create.
• Click on the field, select Workflow Variables or Workflow Context, and select a variable from the corresponding drop-down list.



• Click Advanced Lookup, select Workflow Variables or Workflow Context from the drop-down list that appears, and then select a variable from the corresponding drop down and click Insert.



• Click on the field that accept references and from the Insert Reference pane that appears on the right, double-click on a reference to select.

Note: Available sections and lookup values depend on the options available for the workflow action.

Insert reference pane section and field descriptions

Section	Description
Item Properties	Metadata columns for the item the workflow is associated with. Available only for list workflows.
Workflow Context	Context variables that represent data related to the current workflow instance, such as current item or site URL and workflow name. Current item URL: The URL of the item the workflow is associated item. Available only for list workflow actions. Current site URL: The URL of the site the workflow is associated site. Initiator login name: The login name of the person who started the workflow instance. Initiator display name: The display name of the person who started the workflow instance. Initiator email address: The email address of the person who started the workflow instance. Instance ID: The unique identifier of the workflow instance. List ID: The unique identifier of the list the workflow is associated with. Available only for list workflow actions. List Name: The name of the list the workflow is associated with. Available only for list workflow actions. Manager login name: The login name of the manager of the initiator (the person who started the workflow instance). Manager display name: The display name of the manager of the initiator (the person who started the workflow instance). Manager email address: The email address of the manager of the initiator (the person who started the workflow instance). Publish user: The person who published the workflow. Workflow name: The name of the executing workflow.
Workflow Variables	Workflow variables configured for the workflow.