---
sourceDocument: Australia ServiceNow AI Platform Capabilities
sourceDocumentLink: https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/r/de-DE/servicenow-platform

 Release :

    - australia

ft:locale :

    - de-DE

ft:publication_title :

    - Australia ServiceNow AI Platform Capabilities

ft:clusterId :

    - platcap

bundleId :

    - platcap

workflow :

    - Platform


---

# Using variables in a workflow

# Using variables in a workflow {#ariaid-title1}

* Freigeben Version: Australia
* 
* Aktualisiert 12. März 2026
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 5 Minuten Lesedauer

Within workflow there are several different types of variables that are
available.

Some variables define, describe, or compose the pieces of the workflow (such as [workflow activities](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/OTekgfdDx9ehWzMJXsGR5w "Workflow activity properties reference")). Some
variables are available specifically to facilitate the execution of a workflow (such as
scratchpad variables). Some variables define, describe, or compose the data records being
manipulated by the workflow process (for example, the elements of a Glide Record that are defined
in a dictionary.xml file describing a record, such as an incident).

## Activity variables {#ariaid-title2}

Activity variables are properties specifically associated with a workflow
activity.

### Vorbereitungen

Role required: admin

### Warum und wann dieser Vorgang ausgeführt wird

These are the inputs that appear on the activity definition when a specific activity
is dragged onto the workflow canvas. These variables are properties that define,
compose or describe the workflow activity, or the work it is designed to
perform.

Activity variables are declared in a related list within the Workflow Activity
Definition.

To add, view, or modify a variable:

### Prozedur

1. Navigate to AllWorkflowActivity Definitions.
2. Select a workflow activity, such as Approval - User.
3. In the Activity Variables section or tab, add, view, or modify the variables. Activity variables are defined using the same fields as [System dictionary](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=c_SystemDictionary&version=australia&pubname=australia-platform-administration&ft:locale=en-US).  
   Hinweis:  
   If defining a new activity variable that is dependent on another activity variable, put the prefix "vars." before the name of the parent activity variable. For example, if the child field is dependent on a field named parent, put the value <kbd class="ph userinput">vars.parent</kbd> in the Dependent field.
   To control the visibility of an activity variable on the workflow canvas after the activity has been dragged to the canvas, use a UI policy on the wf_activity table.  
   To access the variables or assign values to these variables within the workflow activity, use the <var class="keyword varname">vars</var> variable of the workflow activity.

        activity.vars.variable_name = new_variable_value 

## Workflow input variables {#ariaid-title3}

Workflow variables are external values that are passed into and referenced by a
workflow during its execution.

### Vorbereitungen

Role required: admin

### Warum und wann dieser Vorgang ausgeführt wird

Workflow variables can be declared externally in a script and passed into a main workflow or they can be declared within a main workflow and passed as inputs to a subflow.  
Hinweis:  
There is a specific kind of input variable for any workflow that is declared against the table Requested Item \[sc_request_item\]. To understand the use of these variables, see [Workflow catalog variables](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/TGx1D5~EBEfCPDnU_e5I4g#c_WorkflowCatalogVariables "Workflows that are associated with the Requested Item [sc_req_item] table have a specific type of workflow input.").

Workflow variables are declared in a form available from the Workflow Editor gear
menu.

### Prozedur

1. Navigate to AllWorkflowWorkflow Editor.
2. Edit and check out a workflow.
3. Select the Workflow Activities menu and select Edit Inputs.
4. Select an existing variable or select New.  
   Note the Column name field. Use this value when accessing the variable from a script.

   Workflow variables do not appear on the workflow canvas, they are only available for view from the Workflow Activity menu.
   The input variables are available to use in scripts. To access an input variable from a script:

       var input  = workflow. variables. variableName //get the workflow variable identified by column name.

## Assigning values to variables from outside of workflow {#ariaid-title4}

After being declared in a workflow, values can be assigned to the variables from where
the workflow is kicked off.  
The following example demonstrates how a workflow variable's value can be set in a script include, business rule, or UI action:

     
    //Declare an instance  of workflow.js 
    var wf  = new Workflow ( ) //Get the workflow id 
    var  wfId  = wf. getWorkflowFromName ( "Workflow Name" ) ; 
    //Start workflow, passing along name : value pair(s) for mapping to variable 
    //where input_var_name is the name of the variable declared in gear menu 
    //and input_var_value is whatever that value should be for this execution of 
    //workflow
    wf. startFlow (wfId , null , "Workflow Name" , {input_var_name : input_var_value } ) ;

Another example that demonstrates a more readable way of passing multiple variables involves declaring an object, adding the names/values to the object, and passing it:

    //Declare an instance  of workflow.js 
    var wf  = new Workflow ( ) 
    //Get the workflow id 
    var  wfId  = wf. getWorkflowFromName ( "Workflow Name" ) ; 
    //Start workflow, passing along object containing name/value pairs mapping to inputs expected by the workflow 
    var vars  = { } ;
    vars. input_var_name1 = input_var_value1 ;
    vars. input_var_name2 = input_var_value2 ; 
    // add as many variables as your workflow is expecting, then pass the object
    wf. startFlow (wfId , null , "Workflow Name" , vars ) ;

### Assigning Values for Subflow Inputs from inside of a Main Workflow

If a workflow that accepts inputs is called from within another workflow, those input values
can be set from the workflow canvas within the UI of the workflow activity. Each input variable
declared for a subflow will have a text box input area displayed on the activity. Within these
text boxes, the variables can be set with any value either from the scratchpad or from within
the current record.

For more information, see [Workflows used as subflows](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/PX1yMB5h5Gh4IZybjgxFPQ "A workflow can launch another workflow as an activity.").

### Reading the Value of a Workflow Input Variable

The value of a Workflow input variable is accessible anywhere within the workflow that accepts javascript by dot walking the current workflow object:

    var readValue = workflow.inputs.variable_name;

## Workflow scratchpad variables {#ariaid-title5}

Store and share string-based variables as name-value pairs between workflow
activities.

The scratchpad is global to the instance of the running workflow and as such, is available
equally to all activities.

### Declaration

The scratchpad itself is automatically available to an executing workflow and requires no specific declaration. Variables are declared and stored in the scratchpad simultaneously by referencing it. For example:

    workflow.scratchpad.variableName = variableValue;

### Display

View activity scratchpad values from the Workflow Activity History Scratchpad \[wf_history_scratchpad\] table. Workflow Activity History Scratchpad is also an embedded list in Worfklow Activity History records.  
Abbildung : 1. Sample Workflow Activity History Scratchpad records

### Access and Assignment

Use standard JavaScript object notation to access or assign scratchpad values. For example, use this format to assign a particular scratchpad variable value.

    workflow.scratchpad.variableName = variableValue;

Use this format to assign a JavaScript variable to a scratchpad variable.

    var myValue = workflow.scratchpad.variableName;

## Current variables {#ariaid-title6}

Current is the database GlideRecord that kicked off the workflow, either by association
to the table in the Workflow properties table or by being associated with a catalog
item.

### Declaration

Variables in current are the columns that are defined in the
dictionary.xml file that support the database record. There is no way at
runtime to add variables to the current record.

### Display

Variables of a current record are displayed on the Glide Forms and Lists throughout the
applications that use them.

### Access and Assignment

To access the variables or assign values to the variables within the workflow activity, get the value from the current record by referencing the Glide Element.

    var myVarValue = current.getElement(nameOfTheField);

or

    var myVarValue = current.fieldName;

or

    current.variableName.setValue( "A Variable Value");