Using power automate desktop variables in VBScript

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Posted on 6 Aug 2024 11:45:58 by IzabelaZarnowsk

Hello!

I'm trying to write a VB script that will use a variable initialized within a flow. My variable is a list of numeric elements (%List%). I want the script to check if a given value in the %List% is less than 0 and if so, to save its position as a result. If the next value meets the same condition, its position in the list is to be appended to the result after the decimal point. Unfortunately, I run into a problem - I can't use the %List% variable. Depending on the way I try to use it, I get compilation errors. An example of a script I tried to use:

Dim list
list = Split(%List%, ",")
Dim result
result = ""
For i = 0 To UBound(list)

    If CInt(list(i)) < 0 Then

        If result = "" Then

            result = i

        Else

            result = result & "," & i

        End If

    End If

Next

WScript.Echo result

I will be very grateful for any help!

Best regards!

Iza

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Verified answer

NathanAlvares24 1,673 Super User 2025 Season 1 on 07 Aug 2024 at 10:29:45

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Using power automate desktop variables in VBScript

Hi IzabelaZarnowsk !

The List variable in PAD (Power Automate Desktop) is completely different than what an actual List used in scripting languages.

See this example:

Output of "Display message" action:

As can be seen it is not like the list in scripting languages. A list in scripting languages usually has a ","(comma) as a delimiter.

So you need this into one whole text. Use the "Join text" action to achieve this. See below:

Output:

As can be seen above, I get the list as one whole text and delimited by a comma.

Then pass this variable to your script. I made some changes to the script, so use this one:
' Initialize the list with the actual Power Automate variable Dim list list = Split("%List%", ",") ' %List% should be a string like "1,2,-3,4,-5" ' Initialize the result variable Dim result result = "" ' Iterate through the list and check for negative values For i = 0 To UBound(list) If CInt(list(i)) < 0 Then If result = "" Then result = i Else result = result & "." & i End If End If Next ' Output the result WScript.Echo result

Then finally your flow will look like this (just for reference):

We have to use the "Trim text" action, since in PAD, the scripting languages give output as one extra line.

Output:

Flow (directly copy the code and paste onto your flow):

Variables.CreateNewList List=> List Variables.AddItemToList Item: 1 List: List Variables.AddItemToList Item: 2 List: List Variables.AddItemToList Item: -3 List: List Variables.AddItemToList Item: 4 List: List Variables.AddItemToList Item: -5 List: List Text.JoinText.JoinWithCustomDelimiter List: List CustomDelimiter: $''',''' Result=> List @@copilotGeneratedAction: 'False' Scripting.RunVBScript.RunVBScript VBScriptCode: $'''\' Initialize the list with the actual Power Automate variable Dim list list = Split(\"%List%\", \",\") \' %List% should be a string like \"1,2,-3,4,-5\" \' Initialize the result variable Dim result result = \"\" \' Iterate through the list and check for negative values For i = 0 To UBound(list) If CInt(list(i)) < 0 Then If result = \"\" Then result = i Else result = result & \".\" & i End If End If Next \' Output the result WScript.Echo result ''' ScriptOutput=> VBScriptOutput ScriptError=> ScriptError Text.Trim Text: VBScriptOutput TrimOption: Text.TrimOption.Both TrimmedText=> VBScriptOutput

I hope this helps.

Regards,

Nathan Alvares