How to preserve output variable data type

[DABot]

When I run a desktop flow that reads values from a range of cells from Excel, the variable produced is a data table data type. When I try to pass that variable as an output variable to another flow, it is automatically converted to text. How can I preserve the data table data type for output variables?

[Pstork1]

Have you tried converting the table to JSON and then send the JSON to the other flow where it can then be Parsed?

[John_Mavridis]

Hello,

That's indeed a limitation for the time being, as Power Automate Desktop currently only supports text and sensitive text as input variables. Supporting more variable types like lists and data tables is in the mid-term roadmap of the product, and will probably take place over the coming months.

[Henrik_M]

Interesting info! What about variable types such as browser instances and even UI elements?

[DABot · Accepted solution]

My solution was to copy the desktop flow that reads the Excel range into the calling flow as a sub flow. I had to modify the input/output variables a bit, but this was a fairly simple solution that preserves the data table for that variable.

[yoko2020]

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@Henrik_M wrote:

Interesting info! What about variable types such as browser instances and even UI elements?

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@Henrik_M 

I think we need to wait. Let the developers do their work . 

I remember you in ProcessRobot forum 😂.