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ProcessMaker Platform provides a set of Magic Variables that store data for users and requsts. Designers may reference these variables in ProcessMaker Query Language (PMQL) queries and in other ProcessMaker assets, such as Scripts and Screens.

ProcessMaker Platform uses a schema-less JSON data model from which to read, write, and store Request data. Since the JSON data model is schema-less (meaning that it does not require a specific schema or structure from which ProcessMaker Platform assets must conform), the JSON data model is structured from the JSON objects in assets used in a Request: the Variable Name setting values in a Screen or Request variables a Script creates. When an in-progress Request routes through the Process, Request data aggregates into the JSON data model, thereby becoming Request data.

However, ProcessMaker Platform uses a set of Magic Variables that become part of the JSON data model for all Requests. ProcessMaker Platform uses these Magic Variables to store user, Process, and Request related data for all Requests. All Magic Variables are preceded by an underscore (_) character in the JSON data model.

Users that have the Requests: Edit Request Data permission may view the JSON data model for a completed Request. This JSON data model displays in the Data tab in a completed Request's summary.

Magic Variable Descriptions

The following Magic Variables are available to you when designing processes. Since these descriptions are outlined in tabular format, they do not imply how they are structured in the JSON data model. Refer to the example in the Example of All Magic Variables section to see how each JSON object is structured in the overall JSON data model.

`_user` Magic Variable

The _user Magic Variable contains data about the current user assigned a Form Task element or Manual Task element during an in-progress Request. Use JSON dot notation to reference specific data in a Magic Variable. Example: _user.fullname. If a Magic Variable contains no data, null is the value.

Magic Variable Name	Description
`_user.id`	A unique identifier for the user. Automatically increments for each created user. This value can be the user that is currently logged on and completing a Form Task/Manual Task.
`_user.fax`	Fax number as entered into the user's profile.
`_user.cell`	Cell number as entered into the user's profile.
`_user.city`	City as entered into the user's profile.
`_user.email`	Email address as entered into the user's profile.
`_user.media`
`_user.phone`	Telephone number as entered into the user's profile.
`_user.state`	State, region, or province as selected in the user's profile.
`_user.title`	Job title as entered into the user's profile.
`_user.avatar`	Image reference for the user's avatar as entered into the user's profile.
`_user.postal`	Business postal code as entered into the user's profile.
`_user.status`	Status of the user's account (active or inactive).
`_user.address`	Business address as entered into the user's profile.
`_user.fullname`	Full name of the user as entered into the user's profile.
`_user.language`	Language to display labels as selected in the user's profile.
`_user.timezone`	Time zone as selected in the user's profile.
`_user.username`	User name for the user as entered into the user's profile.
`_user.birthdate`	Birth date for the user. This is not entered into a user profile.
`_user.firstname`	First name for the user as entered into the user's profile.
`_user.created_at`	Datetime the user account was created.
`_user.deleted_at`	Datetime the user account was deleted, if applicable.
`_user.expires_at`	Datetime the user account expires, if applicable.
`_user.updated_at`	Datetime the user account was updated, if applicable.
`_user.loggedin_at`	Datetime the user logged on to the account, if applicable.
`_user.datetime_format`	Datetime format setting as selected in the user's profile.
`_user.is_administrator`	Indicates if the user account is granted the Make this user a Super Admin option. `true` or `false` values.

`_request` Magic Variable

The _request Magic Variable contains data about the current Request or Process during an in-progress Request. Use JSON dot notation to reference specific data in a Magic Variable. Example: _request.process.name. If a Magic Variable contains no data, null is the value.

Magic Variable Name	Description
`_request.id`	Request identifier for its associated Process. Automatically increments for each Request instance.
`_request.name`	Name of the Process associated with the Request.
`_request.errors`	Contains any errors that occur during the Request.
`_request.status`	Status of the Request. `ACTIVE` or `INACTIVE` values.
`_request.user_id`	Identifier for the user that created the Process associated with the Request.
`_request.created_at`	Datetime the user account was create that is associated with the `_request.user_id` Magic Variable.
`_request.process_id`	Identifier for the Process associated with the Request. Automatically increments for each created Process.
`_request.updated_at`	Datetime the Request was updated.
`_request.callable_id`	Callable identifier for the Process associated with the Request. `ProcessId` is the value.
`_request.completed_at`	Datetime the Request completed.
`_request.initiated_at`	Datetime the Request started.

How to Use Magic Variables

Magic Variables can be used in a variety of ways in ProcessMaker Platform and in ProcessMaker Platform assets.

Reference in PMQL Queries for Request and Task Searches

Reference Magic Variables to compose ProcessMaker Query Language (PMQL) advanced queries for Request searches and Task searches. See the following topics:

Request Data Type PMQL Properties
Task Data Type PMQL Properties

Reference in Screens

Permissions

Your user account or group membership must have the following permissions to edit a Screen control unless your user account has the Make this user a Super Admin setting selected:
Screens: Edit Screens
Screens: View Screens
See the Screens permissions or ask your Administrator for assistance.

Reference Magic Variables in Screens in the following ways:

Rich Text controls: Reference a Magic Variable's value in a Rich Text control through the Rich Text Content setting.
Calculated Properties: Reference a Magic Variable's value from a Calculated Property. Use JavaScript to return a Magic Variable's value, then store it in a Calculated Property.

Example of Magic Variable Usage

This example indicates the JSON structure for each Magic Variable. Each contains a value as it might be read from the Data tab in a completed Request summary.

{
    "_user": {
        "id": 1,
        "fax": "723.743.8058 x00631",
        "cell": "585.620.0749",
        "city": "Donnaland",
        "email": "lauretta.okuneva@robel.com",
        "media": [],
        "phone": "1-316-934-1911 x762",
        "state": "WV",
        "title": "Customer Service Representative",
        "avatar": "",
        "postal": "97304-3230",
        "status": "ACTIVE",
        "address": "8547 Marielle Hills",
        "country": "US",
        "fullname": "admin admin",
        "language": "en",
        "lastname": "admin",
        "timezone": "America/Los_Angeles",
        "username": "admin",
        "birthdate": "1962-10-23",
        "firstname": "admin",
        "created_at": "2019-07-19T08:13:13-07:00",
        "deleted_at": null,
        "expires_at": null,
        "updated_at": "2019-07-19T08:14:35-07:00",
        "loggedin_at": "2019-07-19T08:14:35-07:00",
        "datetime_format": "m/d/Y H:i",
        "is_administrator": true
    },
    "_request": {
        "id": 1,
        "name": "Pet adoption",
        "status": "ACTIVE",
        "process": {
            "id": 1,
            "name": "Pet adoption",
            "status": "ACTIVE",
            "user_id": 1,
            "created_at": "2019-03-25T10:50:46-07:00",
            "deleted_at": null,
            "updated_at": "2019-07-19T08:15:18-07:00",
            "description": "Pet rescue",
            "cancel_screen_id": null,
            "pause_timer_start": 0,
            "process_category_id": 1,
            "has_timer_start_events": false
        },
        "user_id": 1,
        "created_at": "2019-07-19T08:15:24-07:00",
        "process_id": 1,
        "updated_at": "2019-07-19T08:15:24-07:00",
        "callable_id": "ProcessId",
        "initiated_at": "2019-07-19T08:15:24-07:00"
    }
}