Expression language
Values and constants
Use inputs, data from earlier steps, constant values, configuration values and localized text in your expressions.
Every expression starts from values: the inputs your logic receives, data that earlier steps have read, and fixed values you enter yourself. You pick each of these as a card in the picker, the same way you pick a function. This page covers every kind of value and how it appears in the formula bar.
Inputs and data
Section titled “Inputs and data”The Inputs and data category is always listed first in the picker. It contains:
- the inputs of the logic block, logic flow or process you are editing;
- properties of data read earlier, for example the columns of a record retrieved by a previous flow step.
Each card shows the name of the input or property, then where it comes from and its type, for example “Input · Currency” or “From Retrieve Case by Id · Text”. Hover a card to see the full path, such as Get Case.title (Text). Use the search box to find an input by name.
In the formula bar, inputs appear by name and nested properties appear with their source:
| You picked | Formula bar shows |
|---|---|
| The input Amount | Amount |
| The creditlimit column of the Customer record | Customer.creditlimit |
| The current item inside Filter, Projection or Sort By | The name you gave in Element Name, for example line.Element.quantity |
Constant values
Section titled “Constant values”A constant is a fixed value that you enter once, such as the threshold 50000 or the text "Gold". Pick it from the Constant Values category, then enter its value in the field that appears. The field suits the type: you type text and numbers, flip a toggle for Yes/No, use a date picker for dates, pick from the options of a choice, and search for records with a record picker.
| Constant | Enter the value by | Formula bar example |
|---|---|---|
| Text | Typing | "Gold" |
| Whole Number | Typing | 30 |
| Decimal Number | Typing | 0.15 |
| Floating Point Number | Typing | 2.5 |
| Currency | Typing | 10000 |
| Yes/No | Toggling | Yes |
| Date and Time | Picking a date and time | 2026-12-31 |
| Unique Identifier | Typing in the format XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX |
3f2504e0-4f89-11d3-9a0c-0305e82c3301 |
| Choice | Picking one of the choice’s options | Preferred Customer |
| Lookup | Searching for a record (Look for Entity Reference) | the Contoso Ltd account |
| User | Searching for a user (Look for User) | a specific user, for example to assign a task |
| Team | Searching for a team (Look for Team) | a specific team |
| Owner | Picking a user or a team | the owner to assign |
| Any | Entering a value of any type, where a slot accepts any type |
In the on-premises edition the Yes/No constant is labelled Two Options and the Choice constant is labelled Option Set.
When to use a constant
Section titled “When to use a constant”Constants are right for values that are part of the rule itself and rarely change, such as “a case is overdue after 5 days”. When a value is a business setting that administrators may change per environment, such as an approval threshold, use a Configuration Value instead, so you can change it without editing the logic.
Configuration Value
Section titled “Configuration Value”Configuration Value (picker category Value) returns the value of a configuration defined in your project. The value is returned in the type the slot needs: Whole Number, Decimal Number, Floating Point Number, Currency, Text, Yes/No or Date and Time. The formula bar shows the configuration’s name.
Example: with a configuration named ApprovalThreshold, the condition estimatedvalue > ApprovalThreshold sends large opportunities for approval. When the finance team raises the threshold, you change the configuration, not the logic.
Learn how to define configurations in Configuration values.
Localized Resource
Section titled “Localized Resource”Localized Resource (picker category Localized Value) returns a piece of text that you maintain in several languages.
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resource | Localized resource | Yes | The resource whose text you want. |
| Language | Choice | No | The language to return. When empty, the text is returned in the current user’s language. |
Example: use a localized resource named DiscountTooHigh as the message of a validation, so English-speaking and Arabic-speaking users each see the message in their own language.
Learn how to define resources in Localized resources.