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Workflow Variables

Variables (also referred to as dimensions) are attributes that can be attached to a workflow to enable data segmentation and filtering. They allow users to define which fields they care about analyzing across different workflows. Once selected, these variables are used to power interactive filters in custom dashboards.

Adding Variables to a Workflow

To configure variables:

1. Open any workflow in the editor.
2. Click on Add Variables in the top toolbar (the paper pile icon).

3. A popup will appear with:

   • A search bar to navigate through valid fields
   • A list of known fields based on the current workflow's match conditions and structure.

   These may include:

   • Default fields such as os, app_version, model, network_type, etc.
   • Any common fields that are used in the workflow's match conditions.

4. If the search term doesn't return any known fields, you can still add it as a custom variable. For example, searching for foobar allows you to select it even if no data for that field exists yet.

Once selected, variables are saved as part of the workflow configuration.

Warning

Keep in mind that if you add a variable to an existing workflow, you will not be able to filter any data that was collected before the variable was added.

Using Variables in Exploration Dashboards

When viewing an Exploration (a group of workflows), bitdrift automatically computes the intersection of all variables selected across all workflows within that exploration.

This intersection becomes the list of variables available to use as filters in charts and session lists, enabling users to segment their data based on these attributes.

Tip

Variables make it easy to drill into patterns. For example, if two workflows use http.status_code and app_version as variables, you can filter the entire exploration to only show data for status_code = 500 on app_version = 2.3.1.