Definition and Usage
Start an app and return its process ID. This command allows you to launch applications with specified settings and control how the workflow continues after the application starts.
Parameter Values
Input parameters
Parameter | Description | Possible Values | Required |
Application path | The complete path of the application executable file (.exe) or the file to be opened |
| Yes |
Window style | Choose the appearance and size of the application window when it opens | Normal, Minimized, Maximized | Yes |
After applictaion launch | Specify whether the next action execute immediately, or wait until the program loads or completes | Continue to execute the next action, Wait for the application to load, Wait for the application to complete | Yes |
Advanced settings
Parameter | Description | Required | Options / Notes |
Working folder | Specify the folder where the program will start from. If not set, the default is the folder where the program is located | No |
|
Startup parameters | Add parameters that will be placed after the executable file. For example, entering "-n" after Notepad++.exe can specify the line number where the cursor will be positioned when the file is opened | No |
|
Timeout (s) | Specify a timeout duration after which a timeout error occurs if the command hasn't completed | No | Leave blank for no timeout |
Error handling
Parameter Name | Description |
Throw error & stop | When an error occurs, the action will trigger an error and stop the execution of the entire app |
Retry command | If an error occurs, the action will retry the command in an attempt to resolve the issue and continue the process |
Ignore error & continue | When an error occurs, the action will be ignored, and the workflow will continue without interruption |
Variables produced
This action produces a variable that stores the process ID of the launched application. This ID can be used in other commands to reference or control the launched process.
Using Variables in Conditions
You can use variables in the parameters by clicking the {x} icon next to input fields. This allows you to dynamically set values such as:
Application path from a previously stored file path variable
Working folder from a directory path variable
Startup parameters from user input or configuration variables
Notes
Make sure the application path is valid and points to an executable file or a document that has an associated program to open it
If you select "Wait for the application to load," the RPA workflow will pause until the application's main window appears
If you select "Wait for the application to complete," the RPA workflow will pause until the application process terminates
For applications that require elevated permissions, the RPA bot must have sufficient permissions to launch them
The timeout setting is useful for preventing the workflow from hanging if an application takes too long to start or complete