Variable Not in Catalog Item But Appearing in Flow Designer Context

Soni Tushar · ‎03-21-2025

Hello,

Description:
I have a catalog item that does not contain a specific variable in its configuration. However, when a request is raised using this catalog item, the Flow Designer context of the RITM shows this variable.

I have checked:

The catalog item variables list—this variable does not exist.
The request form (RITM)—the variable does not appear.
The Flow Designer execution details—the variable appears in the flow context.

My Questions:

How can a variable that does not exist in the catalog item appear in the Flow Designer execution context?
Where is Flow Designer pulling this variable from?

Any guidance on this would be really helpful.
Thanks!

GopikaP · ‎03-23-2025

Hi @Soni Tushar , I replicated your scenario -

So, this happened to me when I had that particular variable set was added in the past and then in the flow the catalog variables were retrieved, and flow was activated. After this, the variable set was removed from the catalog item, but those variables are still present in the flow action.

Here in my example, you can see variable set - 'it_to_it' is not present in my catalog item, but it is coming in my flow context.

I went to the action where I retrieve the variables, removed all the variables, removed the catalog item, even updated the action with some other action (update record or something) and selected the action (Get Catalog Variables) again (removing the variables and catalog item - didn't work for me the first time) then added the catalog item back along with all the variables. That solved the issue for me.

View solution in original post

Dr Atul G- LNG · ‎03-21-2025

Hi @Soni Tushar

This is a very strange case; it might be a cache issue or something else. Are you using the correct catalog item in the flow? Try repairing the Flow Designer plugin. If that doesn't help, log a new support case.

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GopikaP · ‎03-21-2025

Hi @Soni Tushar , Can you provide some screenshots please?

Ankur Bawiskar · ‎03-21-2025

@Soni Tushar

Should not happen.

Are you sure there are no variables in that catalog item?

May be those were active true earlier and were used in flow.

Somebody deactivated or deleted those variables but forgot to update flow?

Share the catalog item screenshots of form which shows related list

If my response helped please mark it correct and close the thread so that it benefits future readers.

Regards,
Ankur
✨ Certified Technical Architect || ✨ 9x ServiceNow MVP || ✨ ServiceNow Community Leader

Soni Tushar · ‎03-23-2025

Hi @Ankur Bawiskar , @GopikaP

Catalog Item Variables List: This screenshot shows that the variable is not present in the catalog item configuration

Flow Designer Context: This screenshot shows that the variable is appearing in the Flow Designer context

Note : This is the variable set under which the variable belongs and it is not in the list of catalog variable sets
I checked in its " Includes In " as well, that catalogue item is not added

I have also checked the update sets to ensure no recent changes have introduced this variable.

Could you please help me understand where the Flow Designer is pulling this variable from?

Thanks!