Reset/Clear date variable in workflow loop (using REST API calls)

Question

I use Sharepoint Online and Sharepoint Designer 2013 workflows. I have a loop workflow that uses variables in date format. When the loop starts again it uses the variable from the first loop.

Normally, when a date field is blank, variable is set as 01/01/0001 and then the value is taken from a date field using REST API and GET call. Then, when the loop runs again and tries to get a date value from second item in the list with blank date, the date remains from the first item in the list.

How can I reset date variables?

The first time the command: then get Asbestos from Variable: item (Output to Variable: asbestosDate) is run, trying to read an empty date field, it returns 01/01/0001 which is what I want.

If the command: then get Asbestos from Variable: item (Output to Variable: asbestosDate) is run, trying to read a date from a field WITH date, it returns correct date:

Then, if the same call is run after the previous call WITH date, the same dates remains stored in this variable.

Why?

Answer 1

try to "initialize" the date-variable before the REST-call. When the date is not set, your variable will not be modified - so you'll need to ensure it is always modified using "something".

If you're using a SharePoint 2010 Workflow using SharePoint designer you could use the Add time to date-Action like this:

Answer 2

I fixed my problem by adding ELSE BRANCH to the bottom on every IF statement.

Now it's:

if..1
if...2
else....3