VCF Orchestrator custom form dropdown fails to populate from external action.

Products

• VCF Operations/Automation (formerly VMware Aria Suite)

Issue/Introduction

When configuring a custom form in Aria Automation (formerly vRA) or the embedded vRealize Orchestrator (vRO) designer, a dropdown menu may appear empty even when linked to a functional vRO action. This typically occurs when the external source action is incorrectly mapped to the Default value field instead of the Value options field in the custom form designer UI.

Environment

Aria Automation 8.x

Aria Orchestrator 8.x

Cause

The dropdown widget in the custom form designer has distinct sections for "Default value" (the pre-selected item) and "Value options" (the list of available choices). If the external action is bound to the Default value field instead of the Value options, the dropdown has no data to display to the user.  

Resolution

To correctly populate a dynamic dropdown list, ensure the external source is mapped to the collection properties of the widget:

1. Open the Custom Forms designer for your workflow or template.
2. Select the Dropdown element on the canvas.
3. Navigate to the Values tab in the right-hand property pane.
4. Locate the Value options section (not Default value).
5. Change the source type to External source.
6. Search for and select your vRO action (ensure the action returns an Array/Properties or Array/String).
7. Save and Publish the form.

Example of where to populate the Orchestrator Action:

Additional Information

For more information see Using Automation Orchestrator actions in the custom form designer in Automation Service Broker for VM Apps.