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Categories Workflow Designer
Created by Guest
Created on Dec 5, 2024

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Debug Assistance - pinpoint error

Currently we have an issue testing a workflow where it gives us "Semantic Errors" when we try test the workflow. When we try to publish the workflow we get the following "Some fields contain references to invalid variables; we recommend removing these invalid references. When you publish the workflow, all references to invalid variables will be removed." So clearly there is some kind of check happening, but it would be great if it would tell us which action has the problem, and which variable. We have over 600 variables, and hundreds of actions. So trying to find this is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. It would be good if there was a debugging option that actually showed you where the offending issue was.

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  • Guest
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    |     Dec 19, 2024

    Hi Kate,

    Thank you for your feedback. I logged this idea when, in our particular instance, the actions in use panel and the workflow designer weren't showing any of the typical indicators that there is unconfigured or clashing issues. Typically this does work, but in our case there was absolutely no indicators where the issue was. Now, we THINK this may have been caused by us using Snippets built in another workflow and imported (done because there is 2 of us working on this workflow but we can't both actively access and update the workflow). So perhaps this is more of a bug than an idea.

    Thanks,
    Kris

  • Admin
    Kate Huynh
    Reply
    |     Dec 18, 2024

    Hi @Guest ,

    Thanks for reaching out.

    This capability already exists across 2 features - One to help find the impacted actions, the other to help with resolving the invalid references.


    You can identify the impacted actions in the Actions in use panel (button appears on the top/right of the designer, below your user name).

    I have tried to replicate a similar experience in a very simple workflow, as seen in the screenshot below.

    1. I create a workflow with a Start Form, adding a Text long and a Text short control

    2. I reference both Text long and Text short variables in my workflow (Send an email action)

    3. I modify my Start form and delete the Text short control - This means I have variable references to a control that no longer exists, triggering the "invalid variables" state

      • Start event tile (on the canvas) shows a yellow banner, indicating there is an issue with invalid variable references

      • The Send an email action also shows a yellow banner - opening the configuration panel shows the "invalid variables" message

      • Any actions that reference invalid variables (or are unconfigured) will appear in the Actions in use panel, under the "Unconfigured" tab

        • Clicking on any action in this list will navigate you to that action on the canvas and open the action's configuration panel

        • References to an invalid variable is indicated by the greyed-out variable pill and a yellow highlight around the field


    The Variable panel also has a "Resolve" capability, allowing you to quickly manage all references for a variable. Once you identify the invalid variable, you will be able to see all actions it is referenced in.

      • Clicking on any action in this list will navigate you to that action on the canvas and open the action's configuration panel

      • Clicking on "Resolve" will offer 2 options - Replace all or Remove all

    Hope this helps!

    Regards,
    Kate Huynh

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