API - Assign/updateTimelineInputs parameter

[Ben C]

I have finally got the API working so we can update Hornbill tickets. However when trying to use the "Assign" parameter documented here Entity API / assign (hornbill.com), the "updateTimelineInputs" parameter does not seem to be accepted. I parse the mandatory fields for "inReference" and "inAssignToGroupId" which does assign the ticket to the relevant team but it ignores the "updateTimelineInputs".

I am sending the following JSON -

{

  "@service": "apps/com.hornbill.servicemanager/Requests",

  "@method": "assign",

  "params": {

    "inReference": "SRXXXXXXXX",

    "inAssignToGroupId": "ICT_ServiceDesk",

    "updateTimelineInputs": "Automation of shared mailbox permissions has failed. Please check the details provided are correct."

  }

}

 

On first run I get the following response -

 

{

    "@status": false,

    "state": {

        "code": "0207",

        "service": "apps",

        "operation": "assign",

        "error": "undefined(1): error X1001: Uncaught SyntaxError: Unexpected token A in JSON at position 0",

        "flowcodeError": {

            "where": "Execute",

            "filename": "undefined",

            "lineNumber": 1,

            "columnPos": 0,

            "message": "Uncaught SyntaxError: Unexpected token A in JSON at position 0",

            "errorCode": 1001,

            "stackTrace": [

                "requestSystemAssign at /apps/com.hornbill.servicemanager/entities/Requests/fc_modules/requests_helper.js(1617:68)",

                "requestAssign at /apps/com.hornbill.servicemanager/entities/Requests/fc_modules/requests_helper.js(1466:29)",

                " at /apps/com.hornbill.servicemanager/entities/Requests/fc_ops/assign.js(5:28)"

            ]

        }

    }

}

 

When I run it a second time (without making any changes) I get back -

 

{

    "@status": true,

    "params": {

        "assignToSameOwner": "1",

        "requestId": "SRXXXXXXXX"

    }

}

It then assigns to the specified team but there is no timeline update. 

I did notice the guidance for "updateTimelineInputs" mentions activityType, updateText, source, postType and visibility. However when I tried parsing these the response was that they are not recognised parameters (as below).

 

 

{

    "@status": false,

    "state": {

        "code": "0203",

        "error": "The parameter 'methodCall/params/updateTimelineInputs/updateText' was not expected"

    }

}

[Steve Giller]

You're not providing the parameter in the required format.

[Ben C]

13 minutes ago, Steve Giller said:

You're not providing the parameter in the required format.

Could you please give me an example of how it should be structured?

The code example in the documentation just says "updateTimelineInputs":"xs:string",

[Steve Giller]

9 minutes ago, Ben C said:

Could you please give me an example of how it should be structured?

Sadly not one I'm overly familiar with, but I'm sure someone will update shortly.

 

[Steve Giller]

I believe the formatting should be:

"updateTimelineInputs":"{\"updateText\":\"UPDATE TEXT HERE\",\"source\":\"SOURCE IF REQUIRED\", etc}"

 

[Ben C]

1 hour ago, Steve Giller said:

I believe the formatting should be:

"updateTimelineInputs":"{\"updateText\":\"UPDATE TEXT HERE\",\"source\":\"SOURCE IF REQUIRED\", etc}"

 

That got it working thank you!

Only problem I have now, that when passing the below via Power Automate, it see's anything with an @ symbol as dynamic content and errors when I try to save the HTTP action with the below in. Are there any workarounds for this?

"@service": "apps/com.hornbill.servicemanager/Requests",

  "@method": "assign",

 

 

[Steve Giller]

Generally speaking "special" characters can be escaped. What to escape them with would be a question for a PowerShell guru, though.

[Giuseppe Iannacone]

1 hour ago, Ben C said:

That got it working thank you!

Only problem I have now, that when passing the below via Power Automate, it see's anything with an @ symbol as dynamic content and errors when I try to save the HTTP action with the below in. Are there any workarounds for this?

"@service": "apps/com.hornbill.servicemanager/Requests",

  "@method": "assign",

 

 

@Ben C 

you have to use the formula string() in power automate
for example: string('@service')

[William Weiszbrod]

2 hours ago, Steve Giller said:

Generally speaking "special" characters can be escaped. What to escape them with would be a question for a PowerShell guru, though.

fun fact you can also escape the character in power automate by just doubling so you could @@ instead.

[Ben C]

Was able to resolve this issue by setting the parameters as @@service and @@method.

Thanks to forum member Jim for this resolution!

[samwoo]

Just a warning though @Ben C, in Power Automate, if you come back letter to edit a flow, and you click into a HTTP node, it can reset @@ back to @... at least on the older look and feel of Power Automate.

The newer look and feel appears to retain the escaped @ symbol in the HTTP node, but still worth bearing in mind. You will get an error message when this occurs so a quick reminder is to check the HTTP actions you might have clicked into before you publish.

I use the @@ method myself and have gotten used to checking over the years.

Alternatively, do what @Giuseppe Iannacone suggested