Okta Workflows Tips #2
Tags: nocode, workflows, automation, identity
Published: 2022-08-15 22:45:16

---
title: Okta Workflows Tips #2
published: true
date: 2022-08-15 04:14:37 UTC
tags: NoCode, Workflows, Automation, Identity
canonical_url: https://maxkatz.net/2022/01/06/workflows-tips-2/

---

Welcome to another Okta Workflows Tips post. [Read](https://dev.to/oktaworkflows/okta-workflows-tips-57bj) all other tips.

In this blog post I will share tips on using the Workflows [Compose](https://help.okta.com/wf/en-us/Content/Topics/Workflows/function-reference/Text/text_compose.htm) card. The Compose card is widely used card to create free form text.

[![Compose card](https://katzmax.files.wordpress.com/2022/01/workflows_tips_componse_card2.png?w=914)](https://katzmax.files.wordpress.com/2022/01/workflows_tips_componse_card2.png)
<figcaption>Compose card</figcaption>

It might seem like a plain text card, but it packs useful capabilities.

## Composing text with data from other cards

You are not limited to only static text in the Compose cards. You can map and pass data from cards that come before it:

[![Compose card with data from previous card](https://katzmax.files.wordpress.com/2022/01/workflows_tips_compose_mapping.png?w=1024)](https://katzmax.files.wordpress.com/2022/01/workflows_tips_compose_mapping.png)
<figcaption>Compose card with data from previous card</figcaption>

## Creating HTML content

In addition to mapping data from other cards, you can also use HTML tags in the card. This can be useful when sending an HTML email:

[![Creating an HTML email with Compose card](https://katzmax.files.wordpress.com/2022/01/workflows_tips_componse_html.png?w=1024)](https://katzmax.files.wordpress.com/2022/01/workflows_tips_componse_html.png)
<figcaption>Creating an HTML email with Compose card</figcaption>

## Changing card output name

The default output name for a Compose card is _output_. Sometimes it’s a good idea to give it a different name so it matches the actual output it returns:

[![Changing Compose card output name](https://katzmax.files.wordpress.com/2022/01/workflows_tips_compose_html2.png?w=1024)](https://katzmax.files.wordpress.com/2022/01/workflows_tips_compose_html2.png)
<figcaption>Changing Compose card output name</figcaption>

Place the cursor inside the output area, click _Aa > Customize_ to change the output name to something that makes more sense for your flow

[![Customizing the Compose card](https://katzmax.files.wordpress.com/2022/01/workflows_tips_componse_rename_output.png?w=948)](https://katzmax.files.wordpress.com/2022/01/workflows_tips_componse_rename_output.png)
<figcaption>Customizing the Compose card</figcaption>

## Creating variables

Ok, this one is maybe not a tip or best practice but useful in some situations. You can use the Compose card to create a variable-like output for another card that expects a URL for example:

[![Creating variables with Compose card](https://katzmax.files.wordpress.com/2022/01/workflows_tips_componse_variable.png?w=1024)](https://katzmax.files.wordpress.com/2022/01/workflows_tips_componse_variable.png)
<figcaption>Creating variables with Compose card</figcaption>

You need to be extra careful so you don’t introduce an extra white space or a carriage return in the text. It might be challenging to debug such issue. As an alternative, consider using [Object Construct](https://help.okta.com/wf/en-us/Content/Topics/Workflows/function-reference/Object/object_construct.htm) or [Text Concatenate](https://help.okta.com/wf/en-us/Content/Topics/Workflows/function-reference/Text/text_concat.htm).

Well, that’s for now. More tips are coming soon. If you have any tips or tricks – please let me know.

Build your first automation with these step-by-step [tutorials](https://help.okta.com/wf/en-us/Content/Topics/Workflows/Tutorials/tutorials-workflows-learn.htm).