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, email address, username, or any other string. Yes Yes
Decimal Numerical values with a decimal point. The values must be between -79,228,162,514,264,337,593,543,950,335 and 79,228,162,514,264,337,593,543,950,335. The maximum number of digits is 28, including the decimal point. Yes Yes
Integer Numerical values with no decimal point. The values must be between -9,223,372,036,854,775,808 and 9,223,372,036,854,775,807. Yes Yes
Boolean The value can be either True or False, 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 container for organizing related variables. It can hold other objects, creating a hierarchical structure. Objects are automatically created through actions and cannot be directly edited in the Variables panel.

Tip: Objects can be reused within actions that share a matching structure, making it easier to manage complex data. For more information, see Reuse connector object variables.

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

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)

An Object variable named Workflow initiator is a Start event 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 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