Custom Fild with variable {listname} not working on Butler Cardbutton
Asked by Felix:

I try to use the following Cardbutton:

set custom field "List" to "{listname}", and move the card to the bottom of list "anotherlist" on board "anotherboard"

But as a result i get Custom field List cleared.

("List" is a textfield)

...thanks!!!


Answers:
author: Iain Dooley
body: [@Felix](/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/3008370) instead of {listname} you can use {triggercardlistname} which correctly holds the list name of the card on which the button was originally clicked.

comments: author: Felix
body: Awesome, you made my day, thanks [@Iain Dooley](/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/1416112)


author: Katrin Anger
body: [@Felix](/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/3008370)

Hi Felix, not all variables are always usable in actions.

However, I assume that the way you address the custom field is incorrect. Custom field variables need to be addressed in Butler like this: {{%VarName}}. Can you try and use "set custom field {{%List}}", instead?

comments: author: Felix
body: ... thanks for your answer.

i addressed it correctly, the form {{%VarName}} is just necessary if you use the custom field as a variable elsewhere.

I tried now with the variable {cardname} instead of {listname}, which is working - but not what i need. So your assumption that the variable {listname} is not working on cardbuttons is correct. bummer!


author: Katrin Anger
body: [@Felix](/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/3008370)

What do you need the listname for in the custom field? Can you explain?

Eventually, there is a way to set a user variable (which is different to variables) to get your workflow going.


author: Felix
body: I am moving cards to a list on another board, but i want them to remember which list they came from, because later i move them back with butler, and then use the custom field variable (as you mentioned {{%VarName}}) to put them back to the same list.

how to set user variables in the butler power up?


author: Katrin Anger
body: [@Felix](/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/3008370)

Necessary to mention first: User variables are a feature only available for paid accounts.

There are two types of user variables: Board Variables and Card Variables.

Board variables are addressed with {{VarName}}, whereas card variables are addressed with {{#VarName}}.

A user variable is a hidden stored value, which can be made visible in a comment or used in further operations.

Understanding your use case, what I imagine what you could do is setting a **card variable**, like "set {{#List}} to {listname}". This should store the list's name as a card variable and as the card is moved, it keeps the value. (Whether the value is kept when it is copied, needs to be tested - I am not sure.)

If you need further information on understanding how user variables work, please send me an email (website in profile).


author: Katrin Anger
body: [@Felix](/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/3008370)

Another idea: Are you using the description of a card? If not, you could store {listname} there and have that extracted and filled into your custom field?


author: Felix
body: [@Katrin Anger](/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/2708783) thank you very much for your quick replies!

I have a paid account.

I didn't find any online resource about how to set up user variables for the butler power up. I would like to continue the discussion here, as it might be helpful for other users as well


author: Katrin Anger
body: [@Felix](/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/3008370)

I totally understand.

Due to the rules of this forum, I am not allowed to promote educational content. But when you go to my website, there is a link to an online course for user variables.


author: Felix
body: [@Katrin Anger](/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/2708783) i understand this community as a place to help each other. For me it looks like you are indirectly promoting educational content. Thankyou for your effort anyway.

@ everyone else: I will contact the support / research a solution and will post here if there is any helpful information.


author: Felix
body: See [@Iain Dooley](/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/1416112) 's answer for the solution


Tags: board

butler

card

custom-field