Creating user variables

You can define variables for use in the processes that you add to a flowchart.

Procedure

  1. Open a flowchart in Edit mode.
  2. Click Options and select User variables.

    The User variables dialog opens.

  3. In the Variable name column, enter a name for the new user variable: Click the <Click here to add new item> hotspot.
  4. In the Data type column, select a data type from the list. If you do not select a data type, the application selects None when you click OK.

    The None data type can produce unpredictable results, so it is best to specify the correct data type.

  5. In the Initial value column, enter a starting value. You can also profile fields for available values by clicking the ellipsis button (...) that becomes available when you click inside the column.
  6. In the Current value column, enter a current value for the user variable. You can also profile fields for available values by clicking the ellipsis button (...) that becomes available when you click inside the column.
  7. Repeat these steps for each user variable that you want to create.
  8. Click OK.

    The application stores the new user variables. You can access them later when you configure processes.

Results

After a flowchart runs, the Current value of each user variable displays in the Current value section for each user variable. If the current value is different from the initial value, you can restore the initial value by clicking Restore defaults.

Note: If the Current value of a user variable is redefined in a Select process, resetting the Current value to the Initial value manually has no effect on the value of the user variable during a flowchart, branch, or process run.