Data is at the core of any automation process. In SAP Intelligent Robotic Process Automation (RPA), effective data handling is essential to build robust, flexible, and efficient bots. Understanding how to use variables, choose appropriate data types, and manipulate data correctly enables you to design bots that can interact intelligently with SAP systems and other applications.
This article explores the fundamentals of data handling within SAP Intelligent RPA, providing you with the knowledge needed to manage data effectively in your automation workflows.
A variable is a named container that stores data values during bot execution. Variables allow bots to store, pass, and transform data dynamically.
Example: You might declare a variable customerID to store a customer number retrieved from a database and use it later to fetch customer details.
Choosing the right data type is crucial for proper data processing and to avoid errors. SAP Intelligent RPA supports several fundamental data types:
| Data Type | Description | Usage Example |
|---|---|---|
| String | Textual data (characters, words, sentences) | Customer names, addresses, URLs |
| Integer | Whole numbers (no decimals) | Counts, indexes, quantities |
| Decimal | Floating point numbers (decimals allowed) | Prices, weights, percentages |
| Boolean | True or False values | Flags, condition checks |
| Date/Time | Date and time values | Transaction timestamps, deadlines |
| Array/List | Ordered collection of elements | Lists of customer IDs, product codes |
| Object | Complex structured data (key-value pairs) | JSON objects, SAP business data records |
Manipulating data involves transforming, combining, and extracting information stored in variables. Here are common operations:
Assign values to variables directly or from other variables.
customerName = "John Doe"
totalAmount = price * quantity
Combine strings to form a new string.
fullName = firstName + " " + lastName
Convert data from one type to another, such as string to integer.
orderNumber = int(orderString)
Use variables within if-else statements to control the bot’s flow.
if isApproved == true then
proceed with order
else
send rejection notice
Iterate over arrays or lists to process multiple items.
for each customerID in customerList
processCustomer(customerID)
Extract substrings, find length, or search within strings.
substring = customerName.substring(0, 4)
length = customerName.length()
position = customerName.indexOf("Doe")
Mastering variables, data types, and data manipulation in SAP Intelligent RPA is fundamental to creating sophisticated automation workflows. Proper data handling empowers your bots to make decisions, interact dynamically with systems, and manage complex business processes efficiently.
As you develop more advanced bots, these concepts will form the backbone of your automation logic, helping you unlock the full potential of SAP Intelligent RPA.