---
title: "Process Arguments"
url: "https://docs.robotiq.ai/en/article/process-arguments"
language: "en"
last_updated: "2026-03-05T09:34:02.981Z"
---

# Process Arguments

Process Arguments let you set up input and output variables for your automation processes. You can use them to send data into a process or get results back, especially when you're using the client API.

## How to Use Process Arguments

Every process in Robotiq.ai has a "Process Arguments" step. This is where you set up the variables your process will use.

### Step 1: Open the Process Arguments Editor

1.  Open your process.
2.  Right-click the "Process Arguments" step.
3.  Choose "Edit" to open the editor window.

![](https://cdn-assets.productfruits.com/62c703e7-39ec-4a5a-9943-cb4b65f38ea4)

### Step 2: Add Arguments

You can add two kinds of arguments:

-   **Input Arguments:** These variables change each time the process runs. They send data into the process.
-   **Output Arguments:** These variables give information about what the process did. They send data out of the process.

Click the "Add argument" button.

-   Pick the argument type (Input or Output).
-   Set the variable type:
    -   Integer
    -   Decimal
    -   Boolean
    -   String
    -   DateTime
-   Type in a default value for the argument.
-   Do these steps again to add more arguments.

**Important:** Always set default values for your arguments. These values are used when you're building and testing. For output arguments, a default value helps show if the process failed before it could set a real value.

![](https://cdn-assets.productfruits.com/40acb4a1-d6b4-4dee-9bee-f36e2a975f8d)

### Step 3: Confirm Changes

1.  After you've added all arguments, click "Confirm".
2.  Save your process. All changes to Process Arguments will be saved.

## When to Use Process Arguments

-   **Development:** Default values make sure your process has data to work with while you build and test it.
-   **Unattended Modes (Test or Production):** When you run processes without someone watching them (like in Test or Production stages), you set the input arguments for each run. This happens when you create a job using the API or set up a [Scheduler](https://docs.robotiq.ai/en/article/scheduler).
-   **API Communication:** Output arguments are mainly used for APIs to share the results of the robot's work.

## Related Articles

-   [Processes](https://docs.robotiq.ai/en/article/processes) - Learn how to create and manage your automation processes.
-   [Global variables](https://docs.robotiq.ai/en/article/global-variables) - Understand the difference between process arguments and global variables.

## Need Help?

Can't find what you're looking for? Join the [Robotiq Community](https://community.robotiq.ai/home/) to get help from other users and the Robotiq team.