Generate values at run-time

An Expression is a statement that your Bot acts on. Typically, you will perform a scan to create a Module. Then you create a Step from this Module and use Expressions to fill out the Step Values (see "Create Steps from Modules").

Bots work with two types of Expressions:

• Interaction Expressions trigger an interaction between your Bot and your application (see "Interact with controls").

• Value Expressions generate a value that you can use in your Step.

  For instance, if you want your Bot to perform a calculation and transfer the result, use a Value Expression for the calculation.

You can also use Value Expressions as Control Expressions in Logic elements.

Types of Value Expressions

RPA Studio supports the following types of Value Expressions:

• Calculations: perform calculations.

• Random values: generate random numbers and strings.

• Date and time values: generate and format date and time values.

• Buffer values: use values that you have previously saved to Buffers.

• Custom configuration parameter values: use values that you have previously defined in custom configuration parameters.

Special characters and wildcards

RPA Studio supports special characters and wildcards. For information on how use them in your Bots, see "Use special characters" and "Use wildcards".

Translate values

Value Expressions can be quite complex. You can test an individual Value Expression before you test the overall Bot.

For instance if you want to ensure that {LDAY[{DATE[][+2M][]}]} works and results in the full name of a weekday.

To test the validity of a Value Expression, right-click the respective Step Value in the Details tab and select Translate Value from the context menu.

RPA Studio shows the translated value or an error message in the subsequent dialog.