---
sourceDocument: Australia Build workflows
sourceDocumentLink: https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/r/build-workflows

 Release :

    - australia

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Australia Build workflows

ft:clusterId :

    - crworkflow

bundleId :

    - crworkflow

workflow :

    - Creator


---

# Return Value workflow activity

# Return Value workflow activity {#r_ReturnValueActivity__hf4_mks_3x}

* Release version: Australia
* 
* Updated March 12, 2026
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read

The Return Value activity returns a value to a parent workflow, when run from a subflow.{#r_ReturnValueActivity__wf-return-value-activity-shortdesc}
This activity has no variables or conditions. For more information, see [Workflows used as subflows](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/ezPxtdpEBNyiNTcz0mu2mQ "A workflow can launch another workflow as an activity.").

Use this activity within a subflow to store data that the parent flow can access. The
Return Value activity adds the data from the subflow's
<var class="keyword varname">value</var> variable to the parent workflow's [scratchpad](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/U2DXvNAB_vtWbBjmJW~jpQ#c_WorkflowScratchpadVariables "Store and share string-based variables as name-value pairs between workflow activities.").

## Scratchpad entries

The activity uses the workflow scratchpad to read and write persistent values.
{#r_ReturnValueActivity__table_skn_vtl_sq__entry__2}

| Variable | Description |
|-|-|
| value | The activity writes the value from the subflow <var class="keyword varname">value</var> variable to the parent scratchpad. The parent workflow activity that runs the subflow includes a <var class="keyword varname">Map return value to</var> variable that defines where the parent workflow stores the returned data. This data can be scalar, a stringifiable JavaScript object, or an expression that evaluates to a stringifiable JavaScript object. |
[Table 1. Return Value activity scratchpad entries]

{#r_ReturnValueActivity__table_skn_vtl_sq}
**Related concepts**   

* [Workflow scratchpad variables](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/U2DXvNAB_vtWbBjmJW~jpQ#c_WorkflowScratchpadVariables "Store and share string-based variables as name-value pairs between workflow activities.")
* [Using variables in a workflow](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/U2DXvNAB_vtWbBjmJW~jpQ#c_UsingVariablesInAWorkflow "Within workflow there are several different types of variables that are available.")