Variables in Power Automate Desktop

Power Automate Desktop Variables: Types and Usage

In Power Automate Desktop (PAD), variables store data that flows through your automation. They can be referenced in actions using %VariableName% format.

1. Text

Stores string values like names, messages, or file paths.

Example:
Set Variable: UserName = John Doe
Display Message: Hello, %UserName%

2. Number

Stores numeric values for calculations.

Example:
Set Variable: Age = 30
Display Message: You are %Age% years old

3. Boolean

Stores True or False flags.

Example:
Set Variable: IsApproved = %true%
Display Message: Approval status: %IsApproved%

4. List

Stores multiple values in a collection. Access items by index.

Example:
Set Variable: EmployeeNames = [John, Mary, Steve]
Display Message: First Employee: %EmployeeNames[0]%

5. Custom Object

Stores key-value pairs. Access properties using dot notation.

Example:
Set Variable: Employee = {Name: John, Age: 30}
Display Message: Name: %Employee.Name%, Age: %Employee.Age%

6. Data Table

Represents structured table data, like Excel or SQL query results.

Example:
Read from Excel: Store in %CustomerTable%
Access Row Count: %CustomerTable.Rows.Count%

7. Data Row

Represents a single row from a data table. Access columns by name.

Example:
Set Variable: Row = %CustomerTable.Rows[0]%
Access Column: %Row["CustomerName"]%

8. Connector Object

Used to store data retrieved from connectors like SQL, SharePoint, or web services.

Example:
Set Variable: SharePointData = Get List Items
Access Property: %SharePointData.Title%

9. List of PDF Table Info

Used when extracting tables from PDF files. Stores table structures and values.

Example:
Set Variable: PDFTables = Extract Tables from PDF
Access First Table: %PDFTables[0].Rows[0]["ColumnName"]%

10. Best Practices

• Use descriptive variable names for clarity.
• Initialize variables before use.
• Be mindful of variable type to avoid runtime errors.
• Validate data when working with lists, tables, or objects.