Create Reference step
Use the Create Reference step to generate dynamic references to a SmartObject item. You can use this for various line of business systems for which you have SmartObjects created. A reference is an XML structure that contains information about loading records from a SmartObject. The Create Reference step binds the SmartObject data to the workflow, making it easier to reuse the SmartObject reference and properties of the SmartObject throughout your workflow.
Use the Create Reference step to:
- Eliminate the need to create variables to track SmartObjects used in the workflow
- Make a single SmartObject call to create the reference instead of setting up filters and parameters each time you need to use a SmartObject property
- Use properties of the reference throughout your workflow activities and events
Drag the Create Reference step from the Basic category, Favorites bar, or the Recent category onto the canvas.
Example of a Create Reference step in a workflowIn this example, you want to create a reference to retrieve a list of customers for a region and a specific city.

See the following resources for more information:
- See How To: Filter and Update List Items for an example of using the Create Reference step to create a reference that is used by a Loop step in a workflow.
- See How To: Link a SharePoint application's workflow to a secondary list or library for an example of using the Create Reference step to get the SharePoint Integration Setting properties of a primary SharePoint list.
- See How To: Modify a Workflow to Link an Application's Start Rule to a Secondary List or Library for an example of removing existing item references and creating new references.
- See How To: Use a Loop Step to Loop Through a List for an example of creating a reference to list items so that you can loop through those items in a workflow.
- See How To: Use a Loop Step with a Loop Index for an example of creating a reference to list items so that you can loop through those items using a loop index in a workflow.