Save Result Output


Many actions in vTask generate a result value. For example, the User Prompt action asks the user for a selection or input, and the File Read action retrieves the contents of a file. The value that the user selects can be saved to the following locations:

Output	Description
Variable	A variable of any name that is created by you. This variable can later be read or modified. The variable is created if it doesn't exist.
Environment Variable	A variable such as %RESULT% that is created as a system-wide value. These are visible under the "Control Panel - System - Advanced", as well as with the "SET" command in a MS-DOS window. For more information about Environment Variables, see the Set Environment Variable command.
Memory Variable	A memory location that is not physically stored in a file. This can be {1} - {9}, for a total of nine different storage locations. Memory variables are the fastest storage medium in vTask (usually instant). The amount of data they can contain is only restricted by the amount of physical memory in the computer. For more information about Memory Variables, see the description under System Variables.
Clipboard	The information is saved to the clipboard, and any previous clipboard contents are removed. If the information to save is null, the clipboard is emptied as well.
File	A physical file located on your computer or on the network. The file is created if it doesn't exist, and any previously existing file with the same name is overwritten.
Excel Spreadsheet	A native XLS document in Microsoft Office format. Any previously existing document with the same name is overwritten. vTask does not require Microsoft Office to be installed to save to an Excel spreadsheet (vTask includes native XLS capabilities). For more information about vTask support for Excel Spreadsheets, see the Create Excel Spreadsheet action under the File category.
Adobe PDF Document	A read-only Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) file. This file can be read with the Acrobat reader, available at www.adobe.com. The output formatting is fixed; for additional formatting options, you can first save the output to a variable, and then use the Create Adobe PDF action under the File category. Any previously existing document with the same name is overwritten.
Display in Output	The information is shown in the Output window. The data is also sent to the Debug Output window (if available). This option does not save the results (the data is discarded).
Display in Message	The information is shown in a popup Message Box. This option does not save the results (the data is discarded).
(do not save result)	Even though the action generates a value, this option means that you are not interested in saving it or viewing it, and the value is discarded (not saved).

*Tip:  The "Display in Output" and "Display in Message" options are useful for quickly checking result values while troubleshooting a problem.

Binary Output can be saved for the following actions:

• Set Variable
• Write File
• Read File

Other actions do not normally return binary data. Binary data will automatically be saved correctly for these types.

vTask is able to save Binary data also. Binary data is data which includes embedded nulls and non-printable characters. Binary data can be saved whn generated by the following destinations:

• User Variables
• Memory Variables
• Files

Other output destinations (such as Environment Variables or Output window) are not able to handle binary data.


Setting a Preset (Default) Value
Some actions (such as User Prompts) present the user with a selection. You can set the default option (the option that is selected initially) ahead of time by using the Set Variable prior to the prompt. You need to use the same "Save Result To" variable for both steps.