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Using variables in an automation

Types of variables

Variables are sometimes divided into different categories to facilitate selecting, finding and referencing the correct one within your automation. These categories include:

Trigger variables

These are the primary set of variables users will interact with. They refer to the variables that contain information that accompanied the event that triggered, or initiated the execution of the automation. For triggers relating to SMS messages for example, this may include the phone number that sent the SMS, or received the SMS, or the SMS message itself. Each trigger inserts its own set of variables into the current automation's context.

Action output variables

These variables are not present when the automation is first executed, but are instead added to the automation as the result of executing an action. It can sometimes be helpful to think of these variables as an actions output.

User variables

These variables are present in every automation and contain values associated with the user executing the automation. This includes the user's name, phone number, and so forth. User variables include:

  • My presence status
  • My extension number
  • My extension ID
  • My account ID
  • My first name
  • My last name
  • My email

Usage

Referencing variables

Variables can be referenced in any text field within Automator. They are ideal for use within the large text input boxes for an SMS message, or chat message.

If you do not know the exact name of the variable you are looking for, type a "#" (pound-sign) into any text box and small help popup will appear to help you select the right one.

Liquid templating language

Automator uses the Liquid templating language for referring to and manipulating variables. The Liquid language is a more advanced feature that gives users the ability to transform variable content, or conditionally display content according to your needs.

Transforming text

Here are some examples of the kinds of things the Liquid language enables: