Global variable for flows

[sanniep]

Hello, 

I am using a dozen of flows that all use the same condition string. This condition filters e-mails based on characteristics. New insights lead to modifying the condition which I have to then copy into 12 flows.

Is it possible to create a global variable containing this string which I can call from the condition element in my flows? 

Regards, Sander

[Pieter_Veenstra · Accepted solution]

Hi @sanniep,

If you are looking for global varibales acrossmultiple flows then I would recommend storing the data that you are looking for somewhere central outside the flows. e.g. SharePoint list. This also has another benefit. Imagine that you want to update this variable (actually it sounds like this is a constant ratehr than a variable)? Then all you have to do is update the avriable in a single place and all flows willpick up the value.

[Tom_Slosse]

Hey @sanniep

What @Pieter_Veenstra says seems to be the correct way to "make" global variables in Flow.

As of today there is no option to create global variables you can use across multiple Flows.

Kind regards

Tom

[sanniep]

Can you help me with another piece of this puzzle? So, I've got the constant (you're right) loaded into a variable called 'condition':

@or(contains(toupper(triggerBody()?['Subject']), 'FACTUUR'),contains(toupper(triggerBody()?['Subject']), 'REKENING'),contains(toupper(triggerBody()?['Subject']), 'INVOICE'),contains(toupper(triggerBody()?['Subject']), 'RECHNUNG'),contains(toupper(triggerBody()?['Subject']), 'FAKTUUR'),contains(toupper(triggerBody()?['Subject']), 'FAKTUREN'),contains(toupper(triggerBody()?['Subje.... etc

But how do I call this string as a condition? Thanks again.

Regards, Sander

[Tom_Slosse]

Hey @sanniep

You shouldn't put the whole condition in your variable, only the things that occur more frequently like

contains(toupper(triggerBody()?['Subject']))

Hope this helps.

Kind regards

Tom

[sanniep]

Thanks, @Tom_Slosse

Well, I am new with flow so I am learning. But I've got 12 flows using the same conditions. This one and another for negative keywords.

What I want to do is manage the positive and negative keywords centrally so I don't need to update all flows everytime we think of a new keyword.

So I use a Sharepoint list to manage the 2 conditions thanks to the advise in this post. But it are the keywords I want to centralize for easy management, the redundancy in expressions is not that my concern at this point.

Maybe there is another way to check the email subject and body for a set of keywords. I thought loading the expression from a global variable like this was most efficient.

[Tom_Slosse]

Hey @sanniep

I understand your thinking but in a condition something needs to be evaluated if its true or false.

A single variable wouldn't do it so even if that variable contains your condition. The condition will take your variable as just text.

So I think you can't put your whole condition in a variable

Kind regards

Tom

[ed101]

There's now something called environment variables and may be for you. I know I was looking for it for a while as it didn't make sense to use something completely external to poweautomate.

http://www.ludovicperrichon.com/set-environment-variables-with-powerautomate/#powerautomateflowvar

https://devoworx.net/environment-variable-in-power-platform/

[StephenDear]

most efficient way would be what you had but the most maintainable way would be a SharePoint list or comma delimited environment variable split into an array and checked in an Apply to each loop. Wouldn't take long to execute but if the list becomes very long you could look at other optimisation techniques like Peter Veinstra demonstrates here: Compare two arrays, tables or lists a lot faster in Power Automate (sharepains.com). Sorry, didn't realise the thread was so old.... :S