Variable limit on catalog tasks?

[Dan Hinrichs]

We've got a service that has a lot of variables and when trying to add them, we've noticed there is a point where variables can no longer be added. We're able to move the variables from the left hand side of the variables list to the right hand side and then save the catalog task normally, but when we go back into the catalog task the variables we'd moved over didn't "stick" in the right hand side.

Is there a specific limit to the number of variables that can be added to a catalog task? If so, is this a hard limit or is there a setting somewhere that changes the maximum number of variables that can be included in a catalog task?

[Daniel Oderbolz]

I know this is an old post, but still.
The limit is imposed by the Workflow Activity and not the Database.

The simplest way around this is to create Business Rule on sc_task to copy the data from the sc_req_item to the sc_task.

This is well described here:

Unlearn Series - Missing Catalog Task Variables

The advantage of this approach is that you can easily reuse such a workflow with other catalog items using different variables.
(My advice is to add a flag to sc_task that is used in the Business Rule to decide if the variables should be copied or not)

Best
Daniel

[David Casper]

This was very helpful, however I wanted to add the following since I ran into this issue. See the bold below.

Here are the steps and an issue I ran into:

1) Workflow Application --> Activity Definitions

2) Search for 'Catalog Task' under the Name column and open the record

3) Scroll down to the 'Activity Variables' related list and select the 'task_variables' record under the 'Column Name' column

4) *Once the form is opened you should see the field 'Max Length' if you do increase from 4,000 and save.

  -- I was unable to see the field and even verified under the form designer and form layout that it was supposed to be visible on the form. My work around was to go back to the 'Catalog task' (step 2) and add the 'Max Length' column to the related list. From there I was able to successfully update the value from 4,000 to 10,000. 

[Donald Small1]

Very helpful David.  I also found out about the "Global" flag on the variable, that when checked seems to accomplish the same thing.  More than one way to skin a cat I guess.

[DChandlerKy]

So, am I understanding that is this based on the number of characters in the 'Name' of the variable as opposed to the number of individual variables? 

This addressed the issue I was experiencing but I am wondering if maybe we need to shorted our naming convention or not. 

Thank you!
D