Siebel Business Process Framework: Workflow Guide > Manipulating Data in a Workflow Process > Using Process Properties >

Defining a Custom Process Property

You can define a process property in the Multi Value Property Window or in the WF Process Props list. You can define process properties while you diagram a workflow process, or you can diagram the entire workflow, and then define properties for individual steps. It is recommended that you define process properties before you define an input argument or output argument on an individual step because some of these arguments might reference a process property. For more information, see Using Process Properties.

To define a custom process property

1. Locate the workflow process you must modify.

   For more information, see Locating a Workflow Process in the Workflow Processes List.

2. Right-click the workflow process, and then choose Edit Workflow Process.
3. Choose the View menu, Windows, and then the Multi Value Property Window menu item.

   For more information, see Using the Multi Value Property Window.

4. Click the canvas, making sure no workflow process step or connector is chosen.
5. In the MVPW, make sure the Process Properties tab is chosen.
6. In the MVPW, right-click in the window that is located below the Process Properties tab, and then choose New Record.
7. Enter a name for the process property.

   For more information, see Naming a Workflow Process Step or a Process Property.

8. Define the Data Type field, using values from the following table.

   Data Type	Type of Data the Process Property Holds
   String	Character value.
   Number	Numeric value.
   Date	Date value.
   Hierarchy	Hierarchical data, as in a property set.
   Binary	Binary value. Siebel CRM encodes binary data in the original character set where it was entered. This data type code is appropriate for data that describes itself, such as XML code.
   Integration Object	Integration object. The Siebel SRF uses the integration object definition for this object.
   Strongly Typed Integration Obj	Strongly typed integration object.
   Alias	XPath notation for pointing to a child in a hierarchical process property.

   The String data type code is appropriate for strings, text data, and non XML data even though Siebel CRM can store XML data as string data. Siebel CRM assumes that string data in a workflow process is UTF 16 String encoded. Literal or Expression data types are UTF 16 String.

   You cannot modify a data type after you define it.

9. Define the Default String, Default Date, or Default Number property, if necessary.

   Siebel CRM uses the value that you define in one of these properties when it runs a workflow process. If the corresponding data type for the value is chosen, then you only define one of these default values. For example, if you define the Date data type, then you can define a Default Date.

10. Repeat Step 5 through Step 9 to define more process properties, as required.