The personalized JavaScript that users create in workflow activity variables is vulnerable to run-time syntax errors. Available error information is available in a tooltip when you point to a workflow activity in an error state.

In the base system, workflow activities do not provide condition routing on the error state. As a result, the workflow progresses based on the state of the current record. For example, a workflow contains an Approval - User activity that uses an advanced script to add additional approvers. A syntax error in the script results in no approvers being added. Because a state of no approvers is a valid return, even without the syntax error, the approval activity is skipped and the workflow progresses along a positive path. However, this might not be a valid response for the workflow designer who does not want the workflow to progress along the positive path without approvers.

Workflow error handling detects and logs syntax errors and provides a state that the workflow designer can use to add error conditions to the workflow. Use error handling to locate syntax errors in advanced script fields for these workflow activities:
  • Approval - User
  • Approval - Group
  • Catalog Task
  • Create Task
  • If
  • Run Script
  • Notification

Available error information

This table shows which activities support error exits.

Table 1. Available error information
ActivityWorkflow logRed error indicatorActivity stateActivity resultFault descriptionReroute on error

Approval - User

Approval - Group

 Yes Yes Error Skipped Yes Yes

Catalog Task

Create Task

 Yes No Finished none No No
If Yes Yes Error none Yes Yes
Run Script No Yes Error error Yes Yes
Notification Yes Yes Error error Yes Yes