Flow Designer - Catalog Task variables

[Patrick Quinlan]

I am just getting into investigating Flow Designer. I'm attempting to create a Flow for an existing catalog item that is currently using a workflow. In the catalog item variables, we have container variables so that the input variables display correctly and it has never been a problem while using a workflow. 

The catalog task that is created as a result of the Flow, however, seems to ignore the formatting variables. In fact, when selecting the variables when building the Flow, the 'container start' variables aren't available.

I attempted to duplicate the container variables as 'flow catalog variables' inside Flow Designer but this didn't seem to work either. 

The RITM that is created using the Flow displays the variables correctly. 

What am I missing?

[Maik Skoddow]

Hi @Patrick Quinlan ,

thanks for the screenshots. Your question was so unusual that I wanted to be sure that we both are talking about the same thing.

So the answer is:

Everything works as intended because what you call variables are not real variables for input fields but placeholder for layouting purposes. And therefore it makes no sense to offer them in Flow Designer because these variables have no content and thus cannot be processed.

Hope that helps.

Kind regards
Maik

If my answer replied your question please mark appropriate response as correct so that the question will appear as resolved for other users who may have a similar question in the future.

[Patrick Quinlan]

@Maik Skoddow Ok...I understand that they are strictly for layout purposes and have no content. However, the Normal workflow editor includes them in the 'Create Catalog Task' action and allows the variables to display as intended. Is there a way for the Catalog Tasks created by Flow Designer to use them? 

[Maik Skoddow]

Hi @Patrick Quinlan ,

you say "Ok...I understand that they are strictly for layout purposes and have no content" so why do you want to use them? Which requirement do you want to implement?

Kind regards
Maik

[Patrick Quinlan]

@Maik Skoddow 

I would like to use them for the purpose they are there for...to display the variables on the catalog task in a more user friendly way...the same way that they are displayed in the RITM and on Catalog Tasks created by Workflow Editor. 

If they exist for the purpose of layouting purposes, why does Flow Designer not utilize them for that purpose?

[Maik Skoddow]

Hi @Patrick Quinlan 

next time you should ask a question which reflects your requirement. If you ask for a any solution only you have in mind it causes a lot of confusions 🙂

So first Flow Designer has no visual outputs. It processes data with defined business logic. Therefore, forget Flow Designer.

Basically the Catalog Task is already prepared for displaying the Catalog Variables exactly as the RITM does. The reason is the so-called Variable Editor Formatter or also VEditor. Please read https://docs.servicenow.com/bundle/orlando-it-service-management/page/product/service-catalog-manage... for more information.

But what the page doesn't mention is that ALL your variables (including the 'container variables') need the property "Global" checked. After that all variables with their defined layout including their values will appear on the Catalog Task form.

Kind regards
Maik

If my answer replied your question please mark appropriate response as correct so that the question will appear as resolved for other users who may have a similar question in the future.