Core Concepts and Variable Types

When you first use RPA Plus, remember three principles: workflows consist of nodes, variables store data, and tasks execute workflows.

After completing this guide, you will be able to:

• Understand the essential terms in the workflow editor.
• Select appropriate variable types for URLs, numbers, and collections.
• Create variables and reference them in nodes.

Common Terms

Term	Meaning	Example
Workflow	A complete sequence of automation steps	Open a product page, read its price, and save it to a file
Node	One operation in a workflow	Open a website, click an element, or wait for 3 seconds
Connection	Determines node execution order	Click an element after opening the website
Variable	Passes data between nodes	Store a target URL or product title
Browser profile	The isolated context where the workflow runs	A dedicated account and cookie context
Task	Combines a workflow, profiles, and an execution schedule	Run a workflow every day at 09:00

What Is a Variable?

Think of a variable as a labeled container: its name is the label, and its value is the current content.

For example, create target_url with a default value of https://example.com. Reference it in an Access Website node, and the node opens that URL when it runs.

Variables let you define a URL once and reuse it. When the browser profile changes, the workflow can still access the data for the active profile.

Variable Sources

Source	Description	Common uses
System variable	Provided automatically by RPA Plus at runtime	Task ID, profile number, and cookies
Start node variable	Created at workflow start and available throughout the workflow	Target URL, keyword, and loop count
Node output variable	Produced after a node runs and available only to downstream nodes	Product title, API response, and extracted result

Common system variables include:

Variable	Value
task_id	Active task ID
serial_number	Active browser profile row number
browser_name	Active browser profile name
cookies	Cookie data for the active profile

Sensitive Information

account_password and cookies may contain login credentials. Never write them to debug logs, screenshots, public files, or messages to unrelated people.

Variable Scope

• System variables and Start node variables are available from workflow start to finish.
• A variable produced by an intermediate node is available only to downstream nodes after that node.
• Across branches, the variable picker displays only variables from execution paths that can reach the active node.

In this workflow, product_title is available only to Save to File:

Start → Get Element Data → Save to File

Create a Variable

Create a variable in the Start node or Variable Management node:

1. Select the node and open its configuration panel on the right.
2. Click Add Variable.
3. Enter a name and select a type.
4. Enter a default value, or leave it empty when no initial value is required.
5. Describe its purpose in Notes and save the node configuration.

Create a variable in the Start node

Select a Variable Type

Choose a type according to how the value will be used, not only its name:

Type	Suitable value	Example
String	Short single-line text	https://example.com
Number	A value used in arithmetic or numeric comparisons	3
Boolean	Yes/no or enabled/disabled state	true
Array	An ordered collection	["Account A", "Account B"]
Object	Multiple fields belonging to one record	{"username":"demo","enabled":true}
Text	Long or multiline text	Multiline message or template
File	Local file path	/Users/demo/data.xlsx
Folder	Local directory path	/Users/demo/Downloads

Numbers do not require quotation marks. Use a string for a URL, identifier, or other value that is not used in calculations, even when it contains only digits.

For complete input rules, see Variables and Data.

Reference a Variable in a Node

Fields that support variables display a variable button on the right. Select variables through this button so RPA Plus inserts the correct syntax:

1. Open the configuration for the node that will use the variable.
2. Click the variable button beside the field.
3. Find it under System Variables or Workflow Variables.
4. Select the variable and save the configuration.

For example, selecting target_url inserts:

${target_url}

Select a variable in node configuration

Minimal Example

Goal: Make an Access Website node use a URL that can be changed in one place.

1. Create a string variable named target_url in Start.
2. Set its default value to https://example.com.
3. Select target_url in the URL field of Access Website.
4. Debug the workflow and confirm that the page opens.

Afterward, changing the Start node default updates every node that references target_url.

Next Steps

• Variables and Data: Learn arrays, objects, naming rules, and complex references.
• Create an Automation Workflow: Practice adding nodes, connecting them, and debugging a complete example.
• Use the Workflow Editor: Learn the canvas, node configuration, and editing tools.