As a Pro developer, you can use input variables to start a new process automation without using a form.

Using input variables, you can start a process automation without having to build a form as the point of entry for a process. You define input variables directly within the process automation itself which is particularly useful if your process automation requires complex variable types such as a dictionary, table, or a list. For example, without any human intervention, you can easily and efficiently:

  • Schedule a process automation to run overnight.
  • Trigger a process automation by email.
  • Launch a process automation from another system such as Salesforce or SAP.

Additionally, you can use input variables with the Create Request API and Create Request command package.

Create and add input variables to a new process automation

To create and add input variables to a new process automation:

  1. From the panel on the left, click Show at the bottom to open the Variables panel.
  2. From the Variables panel, click the plus (+) icon. The Create Variable dialog displays for you to create a new input variable.
    Note: You cannot select an existing variable as an input variable; you must create a new one.
  3. Enter the name of the new variable in the Name field.
  4. Select your variable type from the Type drop-down. Click Supported variable types in Process Composer for more details.
  5. Optional: Enter the variable description in the Description field.
  6. Click Use as input.
  7. Based on the variable type you selected, you might need to enter additional information to define the input variable.
  8. Click Create. The input variable that you created displays in the Variables panel under the Input variables section. You can expand or collapse the lists of input and output variables.
    Input variables list
    Repeat steps 2 through 8 to create any additional input variables for your process automation.

Start a new process automation using input variables

After you have created the input variables, you can start a new process automation using the initial data provided by the input variables:

Note: You cannot add input variables when you start a process automation using initial data from a form. To create input variables, you must click Input variables as the Initial data selection.
  1. From the Start panel on the right, click Input variables.
  2. Click Run to run the process automation.
Note: If you start a process automation using initial data from an existing form and then change the form, all existing input variables will be overridden. This might cause validation errors due to invalid variables.

Edit or delete input variables

To edit or delete input variables after you create them:

  1. From the Variables panel, click the action menu (vertical ellipsis) next to the variable you want to edit or delete.
  2. Click Edit variable or Delete variable.
    • If you edit the variable, you can change the Description or Default value fields only. Click Apply to save the changes.
    • If you delete the variable, it is automatically removed from the Input variables list.
  3. You can rerun or close the process automation with the updated variables.
Note: If you have attached a form, input variables are auto-generated based on the form fields. You cannot delete these variables, however you can edit the variable description only.