Configure attributes for input form screen variables

Use screen variables to collect information from the user automatically or define default information. Variables can include information like user IDs and GPS coordinates.

Before you begin

You must create an input form screen before you create variables and attributes. For information about creating an input form screen, see Configure an input form screen.

Role required: admin

Procedure

1. Navigate to All > System Mobile > Mobile App Builder.
   The Mobile App Builder opens in a new browser tab and displays the application scope selection screen.
2. Search for the application scope you are working in and then select the name of the application scope.
   The Mobile App Builder categories home screen displays.
3. Select the Screens category and then select the input form screen for which you want to configure variables.
4. Scroll down to the Variables section of the form, and select New to create a variable.
   The Variable form appears.
5. Complete the following fields as needed.

   Table 1. Variable fields

   Field	Description
   Name	The name of your variable
   Variable type
   Database field	Data from a field. This field uses the FieldName attribute. After configuring the Variable placement section, see Step 6 to configure the attribute.
   Date	Current date. This variable does not take an attribute. After configuring the Variable placement section, see Step 8 to finish the variable configuration.
   Constant	A static value set by the administrator using the ConstantValue attribute. After configuring the Variable placement section, see Step 6 to configure the attribute.
   GPS Coordinates	Longitude and latitude of the user. This variable does not take an attribute. After configuring the Variable placement section, see Step 8 to finish the variable configuration.
   Offline Mode	Input is available when the mobile app is offline. This variable does not take an attribute. After configuring the Variable placement section, see Step 8 to finish the variable configuration.
   User	Sys_id of the user. This variable does not take an attribute. After configuring the Variable placement section, see Step 8 to finish the variable configuration.
   ParentContext	Context information that is carried from a parent record into an action. Uses the ContextField attribute. After configuring Variable placement, see Step 7 to configure the variable and attribute.
   Scripted	Script that auto-fills inputs. Uses the Script attribute. After configuring the Variable placement section, see Step 7 to configure the variable and attribute.
   Variable placement
   Input form screen	Select the input form screen where the variable appears.
   Input form section	Select the input form section where the variable appears. If the input form screen does not contain sections, this field is not available.

6. Optional: If you selected Database field or Constant as your variable type, the Variable attributes section appears.
   In the Variable attributes section, select New to configure the variable attribute. Depending on the variable type you set in Step 5, select the attribute properties.

   Table 2. Attribute properties

   Attribute name	Properties
   FieldName	Set the following information: Table: The table you want to use. Value: The name of the field in that table. Use this attribute if you have selected the Database field variable type. See Step 8 to finish the variable configuration.
   ConstantValue	Enter the static data defined by the administrator. Use this attribute if you have selected the Constant variable type. See Step 8 to finish the variable configuration.

7. Optional: If you want to configure ParentContext or Scripted variable types, then do the following:
   1. Save the input form screen by selecting Save.
   2. Navigate back to the input form screen node in the left navigation menu.
   3. On the input form screen form, select the options menu icon in the upper right corner of the form in Mobile App Builder, and select Open in platform.
   4. Select the Variables tab.
   5. Under Name, select the name you entered for the variable in Step 5.
   6. Select one of the following Variable Types.

      Variable Type	Description
      ParentContext	Context information that is carried from a parent record into an action. This type uses the ContextField attribute. For example, use this variable when an employee goes out on a service call and they must log associated expenses like mileage.
      Scripted	Script that auto-fills inputs. This type uses the Script attribute. For example, you can pre-fill a building number based on an end user's profile when making a reservation.

   7. In the Attributes section under Name, double-click Insert a new row… and enter the name of your variable attribute as listed in the following table.
      Important:

      Enter the Attribute Name exactly as it is listed in the table. The name is case-sensitive.

      Attribute Name	Description
      ContextField	Enter this attribute name for ParentContext variables. Note: Enter the attribute name exactly. It is case-sensitive.
      Script	Enter this attribute name for Scripted variables. Note: Enter the attribute name exactly. It is case-sensitive.

   8. After entering the attribute name, select the check () to save the attribute.
   9. Double-click the field under Value and add the appropriate value for the attribute you are configuring as described in the following table.

      Attribute Name	Description
      ContextField	Enter the field name from the parent screen whose contents you want to populate the input form screen field.
      Script	Paste the JavaScript code that auto-fills the input form screen field. For example, you can pre-fill a building number based on an end user's profile when making a reservation.

   10. Select the check icon () to save attribute.
   11. Select Update.
   12. Navigate back to Mobile App Builder by selecting that browser tab.
8. In Mobile App Builder, select Save.
   Important:

   If you performed optional Step 7, you already saved the record in Mobile App Builder so you don't need to save it again.

What to do next

After you have created your input form screen variables, you can map these variables to input form screen inputs or action items. For details on this process, see Configure an action item.