Editing and managing action flows

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<p id="docs-hc-snippet" style="display: none;">Action flowsare user-defined integrated workflows that perform actions in Zendesk and external systems, but are managed entirely from within Zendesk. After youcreatean action flow, you can update it, deactivate it, or delete it.</p>
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<div class="note tip">
<span class="tiptitle">Tip:</span> Usage of action flows is measured through <a class="xref" href="https://support.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/10149993578522" target="_blank">action credits</a>. Each account includes an allowance of action
credits based on their plan. </div>
<p class="p"><a class="xref" href="https://support.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/8855513857306" target="_blank">Action flows</a> are user-defined integrated workflows that
perform actions in Zendesk and external systems, but are managed entirely from within
Zendesk. After you <a class="xref" href="https://support.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/8855601898266" target="_blank">create</a> an action flow, you can update it, deactivate it, or
delete it.</p>
<div class="p">This article contains the following topics:<ul class="ul" id="topic_odq_p3g_t2c__ul_znz_rtk_t2c">
<li class="li"><a class="xref" href="#topic_hn2_stk_t2c">Managing action flows</a></li>
<li class="li"><a class="xref" href="#topic_ant_ttk_t2c">Managing an action flow's steps</a></li>
<li class="li"><a class="xref" href="#topic_uyj_qsw_3fc">Testing an action flow</a></li>
<li class="li"><a class="xref" href="#topic_sdx_vtk_t2c">Troubleshooting action flows</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="p">Related articles:<ul class="ul" id="topic_odq_p3g_t2c__ul_y55_zzb_xhc">
<li class="li"><a class="xref" href="https://support.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/8855601898266" target="_blank">Creating action flows to automate processs
across Zendesk and external systems</a></li>
<li class="li"><a class="xref" href="https://support.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/10149993578522" target="_blank">Monitoring the usage of action credits and
action flow activity</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<div aria-labelledby="ariaid-title2" class="topic nested1" id="topic_f1t_nt5_bjc">
<h2 class="title topictitle2" id="ariaid-title2">Viewing your action flows</h2>
<div class="body">
<p class="p">Admins can use the Action flows page in Admin Center to view a list of action flows
for their account. The list contains additional data about each action flow, such as
the status, which action flow trigger initiates it, and its usage data, including
successful and failed runs and <a class="xref" href="https://support.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/10149993578522" target="_blank">action credits</a> used.</p>
<div class="p">
<strong class="ph b">To view the list of action flows</strong><ul class="ul" id="topic_f1t_nt5_bjc__ol_e2z_qw5_bjc">
<li class="li"><span class="ph">In <a class="xref" href="https://support.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/4581766374554#topic_hfg_dyz_1hb" target="_blank">Admin Center</a>, click <img class="image" src="https://zen-marketing-documentation.s3.amazonaws.com/docs/en/ac_apps_integrations_icon.png">
<strong class="ph b">Apps and integrations</strong> in the sidebar, then select <strong class="ph b">Actions &gt; Action
flows</strong>.</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div aria-labelledby="ariaid-title3" class="topic nested1" id="topic_hn2_stk_t2c">
<h2 class="title topictitle2" id="ariaid-title3">Managing action flows</h2>
<div class="body">
<div class="p">From the Action flows page in Admin Center, you can view and manage your list of
action flows in the following ways:<ul class="ul" id="topic_hn2_stk_t2c__ul_zwc_2kv_bfc">
<li class="li"><a class="xref" href="#topic_j1x_tlv_bfc">Editing an action flow's name and description</a></li>
<li class="li"><a class="xref" href="#topic_kvg_lkv_bfc">Activating action flows</a></li>
<li class="li"><a class="xref" href="#topic_uqv_4lv_bfc">Deactivating action flows</a></li>
<li class="li"><a class="xref" href="#topic_chp_plv_bfc">Deleting action flows</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<div aria-labelledby="ariaid-title4" class="topic nested2" id="topic_j1x_tlv_bfc">
<h3 class="title topictitle3" id="ariaid-title4">Editing an action flow's name and description</h3>
<div class="body">
<p class="p">Editing an action flow's name and description is separate from editing the flow's
steps in the action builder.</p>
<div class="p">
<strong class="ph b">To edit an action flow's name or description</strong><ol class="ol" id="topic_j1x_tlv_bfc__ol_iy5_gmv_bfc">
<li class="li"><span class="ph">In <a class="xref" href="https://support.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/4581766374554#topic_hfg_dyz_1hb" target="_blank">Admin Center</a>, click <img class="image" src="https://zen-marketing-documentation.s3.amazonaws.com/docs/en/ac_apps_integrations_icon.png">
<strong class="ph b">Apps and integrations</strong> in the sidebar, then select <strong class="ph b">Actions &gt; Action
flows</strong>.</span></li>
<li class="li">Next to the action flow you want to update, click the options menu
(<img class="image" id="topic_j1x_tlv_bfc__image_xrm_jfw_bfc" src="https://zen-marketing-documentation.s3.amazonaws.com/docs/en/options-menu-icon-small.png">) and select <strong class="ph b">Edit name or
description</strong>.</li>
<li class="li">Enter the updated name or description.</li>
<li class="li">Click <strong class="ph b">Save</strong>.</li>
</ol>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div aria-labelledby="ariaid-title5" class="topic nested2" id="topic_kvg_lkv_bfc">
<h3 class="title topictitle3" id="ariaid-title5">Activating action flows</h3>
<div class="body">
<p class="p">New action flows are inactive by default. An admin must activate the flow for it
to be used.</p>
<div class="p">
<strong class="ph b">To activate an action flow</strong><ol class="ol" id="topic_kvg_lkv_bfc__ol_uly_42w_bfc">
<li class="li"><span class="ph">In <a class="xref" href="https://support.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/4581766374554#topic_hfg_dyz_1hb" target="_blank">Admin Center</a>, click <img class="image" src="https://zen-marketing-documentation.s3.amazonaws.com/docs/en/ac_apps_integrations_icon.png">
<strong class="ph b">Apps and integrations</strong> in the sidebar, then select <strong class="ph b">Actions &gt; Action
flows</strong>.</span></li>
<li class="li">Next to the action flow you want to activate, click the options menu
(<img class="image" id="topic_kvg_lkv_bfc__image_htv_jfw_bfc" src="https://zen-marketing-documentation.s3.amazonaws.com/docs/en/options-menu-icon-small.png">) and select <strong class="ph b">Activate</strong>.</li>
</ol>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div aria-labelledby="ariaid-title6" class="topic nested2" id="topic_uqv_4lv_bfc">
<h3 class="title topictitle3" id="ariaid-title6">Deactivating action flows</h3>
<div class="body">
<p class="p">To prevent an action flow from being used, you can deactivate it or <a class="xref" href="#topic_chp_plv_bfc">delete</a> it. Deactivated flows
don't occur when their trigger event occurs and aren't presented as options for
agent copilot auto assist.</p>
<div class="p">
<strong class="ph b">To deactivate an action flow</strong><ol class="ol" id="topic_uqv_4lv_bfc__ol_smy_q2w_bfc">
<li class="li"><span class="ph">In <a class="xref" href="https://support.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/4581766374554#topic_hfg_dyz_1hb" target="_blank">Admin Center</a>, click <img class="image" src="https://zen-marketing-documentation.s3.amazonaws.com/docs/en/ac_apps_integrations_icon.png">
<strong class="ph b">Apps and integrations</strong> in the sidebar, then select <strong class="ph b">Actions &gt; Action
flows</strong>.</span></li>
<li class="li">Next to the action flow you want to deactivate, click the options menu
(<img class="image" id="topic_uqv_4lv_bfc__image_sh1_kfw_bfc" src="https://zen-marketing-documentation.s3.amazonaws.com/docs/en/options-menu-icon-small.png">) and select <strong class="ph b">Deactivate</strong>.</li>
</ol>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div aria-labelledby="ariaid-title7" class="topic nested2" id="topic_chp_plv_bfc">
<h3 class="title topictitle3" id="ariaid-title7">Deleting action flows</h3>
<div class="body">
<p class="p">To prevent an action flow from being used, you can deactivate it. However, you
can have a maximum of 10 action flows at a time. If you are permanently finished
with an action flow, you can delete it.</p>
<div class="p">
<strong class="ph b">To delete an action flow</strong><ol class="ol" id="topic_chp_plv_bfc__ol_x4v_kfw_bfc">
<li class="li"><span class="ph">In <a class="xref" href="https://support.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/4581766374554#topic_hfg_dyz_1hb" target="_blank">Admin Center</a>, click <img class="image" src="https://zen-marketing-documentation.s3.amazonaws.com/docs/en/ac_apps_integrations_icon.png">
<strong class="ph b">Apps and integrations</strong> in the sidebar, then select <strong class="ph b">Actions &gt; Action
flows</strong>.</span></li>
<li class="li">Next to the action flow you want to delete, click the options menu
(<img class="image" id="topic_chp_plv_bfc__image_y4v_kfw_bfc" src="https://zen-marketing-documentation.s3.amazonaws.com/docs/en/options-menu-icon-small.png">) and select <strong class="ph b">Delete</strong>.</li>
<li class="li">In the confirmation dialog, click <strong class="ph b">Confirm</strong>.</li>
</ol>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div aria-labelledby="ariaid-title8" class="topic nested1" id="topic_ant_ttk_t2c">
<h2 class="title topictitle2" id="ariaid-title8">Managing an action flow's steps</h2>
<div class="body">
<p class="p">Using the action builder, you can edit and delete steps in an action flow. </p>
<div class="p">
<strong class="ph b">To open and manage an action flow in the action builder</strong><ol class="ol" id="topic_ant_ttk_t2c__ol_dzc_3qw_bfc">
<li class="li"><span class="ph">In <a class="xref" href="https://support.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/4581766374554#topic_hfg_dyz_1hb" target="_blank">Admin Center</a>, click <img class="image" src="https://zen-marketing-documentation.s3.amazonaws.com/docs/en/ac_apps_integrations_icon.png">
<strong class="ph b">Apps and integrations</strong> in the sidebar, then select <strong class="ph b">Actions &gt; Action
flows</strong>.</span></li>
<li class="li">Next to the flow you want to manage steps for, click <strong class="ph b">Edit
workflow</strong>.</li>
<li class="li">Make any of the following changes:<ul class="ul" id="topic_ant_ttk_t2c__ul_k1y_ngw_bfc">
<li class="li"><a class="xref" href="#topic_dp2_4gw_bfc">Editing a step in an action flow</a></li>
<li class="li"><a class="xref" href="#topic_bqp_pgw_bfc">Rearranging the steps in an action flow</a></li>
<li class="li"><a class="xref" href="#topic_dfs_qgw_bfc">Delete a step in an action flow</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="li">Click <strong class="ph b">Save</strong>.</li>
</ol>
</div>
</div>
<div aria-labelledby="ariaid-title9" class="topic nested2" id="topic_dp2_4gw_bfc">
<h3 class="title topictitle3" id="ariaid-title9">Editing a step in an action flow</h3>
<div class="body">
<p class="p">In the action builder, you can click on any step of an action flow to review and
modify its configuration as needed.</p>
<div class="p">
<strong class="ph b">To edit a step</strong><ol class="ol" id="topic_dp2_4gw_bfc__ol_ek4_cqw_bfc">
<li class="li"><span class="ph">In <a class="xref" href="https://support.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/4581766374554#topic_hfg_dyz_1hb" target="_blank">Admin Center</a>, click <img class="image" src="https://zen-marketing-documentation.s3.amazonaws.com/docs/en/ac_apps_integrations_icon.png">
<strong class="ph b">Apps and integrations</strong> in the sidebar, then select <strong class="ph b">Actions &gt; Action
flows</strong>.</span></li>
<li class="li">Click the name of the action flow you want to edit.</li>
<li class="li">Click on the step you want to edit.</li>
<li class="li">Use the step sidebar to update the step's configuration.</li>
<li class="li">Click <strong class="ph b">Save</strong>.</li>
</ol>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div aria-labelledby="ariaid-title10" class="topic nested2" id="topic_bqp_pgw_bfc">
<h3 class="title topictitle3" id="ariaid-title10">Rearranging the steps in an action flow</h3>
<div class="body">
<p class="p">Steps can't be re-ordered. Instead, if you need to change the order of the steps,
<a class="xref" href="#topic_dfs_qgw_bfc">delete</a> and <a class="xref" href="https://support.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/8855601898266#topic_evq_mrw_bfc" target="_blank">re-create steps</a> in the appropriate
locations within the flow. In addition to the options to add steps at the end of
an action flow's branches, you can also insert them between existing steps.</p>
<div class="p">
<strong class="ph b">To insert a step between existing steps</strong><ul class="ul" id="topic_bqp_pgw_bfc__ul_wpr_rpw_bfc">
<li class="li">In the action builder, hover between steps and click the add step icon
(<img class="image" id="topic_bqp_pgw_bfc__image_n1b_xpw_bfc" src="https://zen-marketing-documentation.s3.amazonaws.com/docs/en/icon_action_flows_add.png" width="16">) that appears.</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div aria-labelledby="ariaid-title11" class="topic nested2" id="topic_dfs_qgw_bfc">
<h3 class="title topictitle3" id="ariaid-title11">Delete a step in an action flow</h3>
<div class="body">
<div class="p">In the action builder, you can click on any step of an action flow to review and
modify its configuration as needed.<div class="note">
<span class="notetitle">Note:</span> Any subsequent steps in the action flow
that refer to a deleted step's output enter an error state and must be fixed
after you delete a step. Even if you recreate an identical step, you still
must remove and re-add references to it in subsequent steps.</div>
</div>
<div class="p">
<strong class="ph b">To delete a step</strong><ol class="ol" id="topic_dfs_qgw_bfc__ol_zdh_j5w_bfc">
<li class="li"><span class="ph">In <a class="xref" href="https://support.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/4581766374554#topic_hfg_dyz_1hb" target="_blank">Admin Center</a>, click <img class="image" src="https://zen-marketing-documentation.s3.amazonaws.com/docs/en/ac_apps_integrations_icon.png">
<strong class="ph b">Apps and integrations</strong> in the sidebar, then select <strong class="ph b">Actions &gt; Action
flows</strong>.</span></li>
<li class="li">Click the name of the action flow you want to edit.</li>
<li class="li">Within the step in the action builder, click the options menu (<img class="image" id="topic_dfs_qgw_bfc__image_f4y_45w_bfc" src="https://zen-marketing-documentation.s3.amazonaws.com/docs/en/options-menu-icon-small.png">) and select <strong class="ph b">Delete</strong>.</li>
<li class="li">In the confirmation dialog, click <strong class="ph b">Delete step</strong>.</li>
</ol>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div aria-labelledby="ariaid-title12" class="topic nested1" id="topic_uyj_qsw_3fc">
<h2 class="title topictitle2" id="ariaid-title12">Testing an action flow</h2>
<div class="body">
<div class="p">After an action flow has been saved, admins can test it with sample inputs. Test
executions are logged in the <a class="xref" href="https://support.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/4408819871130" target="_blank">integrations log</a>.<div class="note">
<span class="notetitle">Note:</span>
<ul class="ul" id="topic_uyj_qsw_3fc__ul_ms4_ld1_wfc">
<li class="li">When testing an action flow, real API requests are submitted for each
step. Use test data, such as test tickets, Jira issues, and so on to
avoid accidentally altering your service data.</li>
<li class="li">Any conditions configured for the action flow's trigger are disregarded
during testing.</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<div class="p">
<strong class="ph b">To test an action flow</strong><ol class="ol" id="topic_uyj_qsw_3fc__ol_nx3_2tw_3fc">
<li class="li"><span class="ph">In <a class="xref" href="https://support.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/4581766374554#topic_hfg_dyz_1hb" target="_blank">Admin Center</a>, click <img class="image" src="https://zen-marketing-documentation.s3.amazonaws.com/docs/en/ac_apps_integrations_icon.png">
<strong class="ph b">Apps and integrations</strong> in the sidebar, then select <strong class="ph b">Actions &gt; Action
flows</strong>.</span></li>
<li class="li">Click the name of the action flow you want to test.</li>
<li class="li">Click <strong class="ph b">Test</strong>.</li>
<li class="li">If prompted, use the Test action flow sidebar to enter sample
inputs.<p class="p">Outputs from the action flow trigger are simulated, so only
variable inputs used in the action flow need to be provided during
tests.</p>
</li>
<li class="li">Click <strong class="ph b">Run test</strong>.<p class="p">During test runs, <em class="ph i">Repeat while condition is
met</em> and <em class="ph i">Repeat for each list item</em> steps are limited to
two passes.</p>
</li>
<li class="li">Review the results for each step. <p class="p">Each step has a status of <em class="ph i">Done</em>
or <em class="ph i">Failed</em> and can be expanded to display its output.</p>
<p class="p">A test
ends when a step fails or all steps have been completed
successfully.</p>
</li>
<li class="li">Click <strong class="ph b">Done</strong> or click <strong class="ph b">Test again</strong> to try the action flow with
other sample inputs.</li>
</ol>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div aria-labelledby="ariaid-title13" class="topic nested1" id="topic_sdx_vtk_t2c">
<h2 class="title topictitle2" id="ariaid-title13">Troubleshooting action flows</h2>
<div class="body">
<div class="p">Do the following if you're having trouble with your action flows:<ul class="ul" id="topic_sdx_vtk_t2c__ul_kzf_2pg_3fc">
<li class="li"><a class="xref" href="#topic_ivw_2pg_3fc">Check the activation status of
your action flow</a></li>
<li class="li"><a class="xref" href="#topic_itl_1rg_3fc">Fix broken steps</a></li>
<li class="li"><a class="xref" href="#topic_pmm_grg_3fc">Check the letter casing of
values in conditional steps</a></li>
<li class="li"><a class="xref" href="#topic_cdz_ks2_5gc">Check date and datetime formatting</a></li>
<li class="li"><a class="xref" href="#topic_rrc_qrg_3fc">Align action flow names and
descriptions with auto assist procedures</a></li>
<li class="li"><a class="xref" href="#topic_agk_z1t_mfc">Re-adding updated action steps</a></li>
<li class="li"><a class="xref" href="#topic_q3f_jrm_3fc">Differentiate the names of
action flows from auto assist actions</a></li>
<li class="li"><a class="xref" href="#topic_obr_cfb_chc">Troubleshoot custom code
steps</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<div aria-labelledby="ariaid-title14" class="topic nested2" id="topic_ivw_2pg_3fc">
<h3 class="title topictitle3" id="ariaid-title14">Checking action flow activation status</h3>
<div class="body">
<p class="p">If an action flow isn't working as expected, you can start by checking that it's
been <a class="xref" href="#topic_kvg_lkv_bfc">activated</a>. The
activation status of your action flows is visible in the list on the Action
flows page in Admin Center.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div aria-labelledby="ariaid-title15" class="topic nested2" id="topic_itl_1rg_3fc">
<h3 class="title topictitle3" id="ariaid-title15">Fixing broken steps</h3>
<div class="body">
<p class="p">Assuming the flow has been activated, the next thing to check is whether all of
the steps are properly configured. Steps that aren't working properly, such as
an invalid input or a broken connection to an external service, are highlighted
in red in the action builder. </p>
<div class="p">
<strong class="ph b">To fix a broken step</strong><ol class="ol" id="topic_itl_1rg_3fc__ol_kdb_crg_3fc">
<li class="li"><span class="ph">In <a class="xref" href="https://support.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/4581766374554#topic_hfg_dyz_1hb" target="_blank">Admin Center</a>, click <img class="image" src="https://zen-marketing-documentation.s3.amazonaws.com/docs/en/ac_apps_integrations_icon.png">
<strong class="ph b">Apps and integrations</strong> in the sidebar, then select <strong class="ph b">Actions &gt; Action
flows</strong>.</span></li>
<li class="li">Click the name of the action flow you are troubleshooting.</li>
<li class="li">Click on a step highlighted in red.</li>
<li class="li">Use the step sidebar to resolve any configuration issues with the
step.</li>
<li class="li">Click <strong class="ph b">Save</strong>.</li>
</ol>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div aria-labelledby="ariaid-title16" class="topic nested2" id="topic_pmm_grg_3fc">
<h3 class="title topictitle3" id="ariaid-title16">Checking letter case in conditional steps</h3>
<div class="body">
<p class="p">Values for conditional steps are case-sensitive. That means checking for the type
<em class="ph i">Problem</em> isn't the same as checking for <em class="ph i">problem</em>.</p>
<p class="p">Standard Zendesk fields typically use lowercase values.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div aria-labelledby="ariaid-title17" class="topic nested2" id="topic_cdz_ks2_5gc">
<h3 class="title topictitle3" id="ariaid-title17">Check date and datetime formatting</h3>
<div class="body">
<p class="p">Action flows expect specific <a class="xref" href="https://support.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/8855601898266#topic_gwb_fxr_hgc" target="_blank">formats for date and datetime values</a>.
Ensure date and datetimes include the expected punctuation and have the values
in the expected order. </p>
<p class="p">In datetimes, milliseconds are optional, but a timezone is required.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div aria-labelledby="ariaid-title18" class="topic nested2" id="topic_rrc_qrg_3fc">
<h3 class="title topictitle3" id="ariaid-title18">Aligning action flow names and descriptions with auto assist procedures</h3>
<div class="body">
<p class="p">When an action flow is initiated by an agent approving an auto assist suggestion,
it is important that the language used in the action flow's name and description
is closely aligned with one or more of your <a class="xref" href="https://support.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/7924047699738" target="_blank">auto assist procedures</a>. When the
language isn't similar enough, the action flow won't get suggested to
agents.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div aria-labelledby="ariaid-title19" class="topic nested2" id="topic_agk_z1t_mfc">
<h3 class="title topictitle3" id="ariaid-title19">Re-adding updated action steps</h3>
<div class="body">
<p class="p">If you have changed an auto assist action since adding it to your flow, you must
delete it and re-add the action. If you use outputs from the action in
subsequent steps, you will also need to update these references so they reflect
the new version of the action.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div aria-labelledby="ariaid-title20" class="topic nested2" id="topic_q3f_jrm_3fc">
<h3 class="title topictitle3" id="ariaid-title20">Differentiating names of action flows from auto assist actions</h3>
<div class="body">
<p class="p">Because auto assist can suggest both actions and action flows, it's important to
be precise enough in the names and descriptions for both that auto assist can
tell them apart. If the names are too similar, auto assist might suggest the
wrong one or both, which could result in unexpected behavior. For example, if
you have an action named <em class="ph i">Create Jira issue</em> and an action flow named
<em class="ph i">Create Jira ticket</em>, it's likely auto assist could confuse or conflate
the action and action flow.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div aria-labelledby="ariaid-title21" class="topic nested2" id="topic_obr_cfb_chc">
<h3 class="title topictitle3" id="ariaid-title21">Troubleshooting custom code steps</h3>
<div class="body">
<div class="p">If you're using custom code steps in your action flow, you might also need to do
the following:<ul class="ul" id="topic_obr_cfb_chc__ul_ekt_3fb_chc">
<li class="li"><a class="xref" href="#topic_dw1_jfb_chc">Using code-hinting tips</a></li>
<li class="li"><a class="xref" href="#topic_tvt_sfb_chc">Checking your input and output names</a></li>
<li class="li"><a class="xref" href="#topic_btz_xfb_chc">Checking your data types</a></li>
<li class="li"><a class="xref" href="#topic_dtj_ggb_chc">Validating your outputs</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<div aria-labelledby="ariaid-title22" class="topic nested3" id="topic_dw1_jfb_chc">
<h4 class="title topictitle4" id="ariaid-title22">Using code-hinting tips</h4>
<div class="body">
<p class="p">Within the step, errors in your code are indicated by squiggly red
underlining. Hover your mouse over the underlined section to view an
explanation of the issue and suggestions for fixing it.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div aria-labelledby="ariaid-title23" class="topic nested3" id="topic_tvt_sfb_chc">
<h4 class="title topictitle4" id="ariaid-title23">Checking your input and output names</h4>
<div class="body">
<p class="p">The names of inputs and outputs within your code must match the names you
enter in the step inputs and outputs. Capitalization and punctuation must
match exactly.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div aria-labelledby="ariaid-title24" class="topic nested3" id="topic_btz_xfb_chc">
<h4 class="title topictitle4" id="ariaid-title24">Checking your data types</h4>
<div class="body">
<div class="p">Verify that your data is of the correct type. If necessary, you can modify
the code to convert the inputs into the correct format. For example:<ul class="ul" id="topic_btz_xfb_chc__ul_b1k_dgb_chc">
<li class="li">If you need to perform calculations on a string input, convert it to
a number using <code class="ph codeph">Number(my_input_string)</code>.</li>
<li class="li" dir="ltr">
<p class="p" dir="ltr">If you’re working with dates, use <code class="ph codeph">new
Date(my_input_date_string)</code> to convert a string to a
JavaScript Date object.</p>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div aria-labelledby="ariaid-title25" class="topic nested3" id="topic_dtj_ggb_chc">
<h4 class="title topictitle4" id="ariaid-title25">Validating your outputs</h4>
<div class="body">
<p class="p">It's important that your code always returns outputs in the correct type as
defined in your step. For example, if you specify a number as the output
type, but your code returns a text or null value, the step will fail.</p>
<div class="p">To prevent this sort of error, make sure your code checks that the values
exist and are in the expected format. When needed, you can use fallback
values, such as the following, for outputs to maintain reliability:<ul class="ul" id="topic_dtj_ggb_chc__ul_amx_t1p_bhc">
<li class="li" dir="ltr">For text, return an empty string <code class="ph codeph">""</code>.</li>
<li class="li" dir="ltr">For numbers and decimals, return <code class="ph codeph">-1</code>.</li>
<li class="li" dir="ltr">For true/false, return <code class="ph codeph">false</code>.</li>
<li class="li" dir="ltr">For arrays, return an empty array
<code class="ph codeph">[]</code>.</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
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