What type of variables can you pass to/from Power Automate?

In Power Automate, input and output variables are key to managing the flow of data between different components of a workflow. Input variables allow you to pass data into a flow when it is invoked; this could be information from an external application, user input, or outputs from a previous step in the flow. These variables serve as parameters that can be manipulated within the flow.

Output variables are used to send data out of a flow once it has completed its execution. This is essential for returning processed data to the calling application or the next step in a multi-stage process. By structuring your flows in this way, you create reusable and modular components that can interact effectively with other parts of the system, promoting best practices in automation design.

The other option types, while they exist within the context of programming and automation, do not specifically describe the mechanism by which data is passed into or out of flows in Power Automate. Flow variables are internal to a flow and are used for temporary calculation or state management, but they are not specifically defined as input or output variables. Temporary variables are often used for intermediate calculations but are not accessible outside the flow execution context. Static variables are typically fixed values and are not designed for dynamic data transfer as required in automation scenarios.