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set variable from browser to Copilot studio - - REDUX / direct line API

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Posted on by Anilal

Hi Experts,

i have Global variable set in copilot studio

- kind: SetVariable
id: setVariable_OkLu9i
variable: Global.VarUserType
value: Current Employee



I am using Webchat.js, i need to set the value of that Variable based on the radio button selection which is happening in the browser chat window.
I tried the below code, but getting the errror message as below in Browser console.

Any thoughts highly appreciated.

Error:

webchat.js:2 TypeError: Cannot read properties of undefined (reading 'method')
at webchat.js:2:2364778
at webchat.js:2:2366409
at Generator.next (<anonymous>)
at p (webchat.js:2:2301636)
at yt (webchat.js:2:2301466)
at webchat.js:2:2298085
at Ue (webchat.js:2:2294719)
at nt.<computed> (webchat.js:2:2298064)
at webchat.js:2:2301270
at d (webchat.js:2:2302170)
onError @ webchat.js:2

Code Snippet to update the Global variable set in Copilot studio. Selected the check box in the copilot UI to allow external to make modification.

const store = window.WebChat.createStore({}, ({ dispatch }) => next => action => {
try {
if (
action.type === "DIRECT_LINE/POST_ACTIVITY" &&
action.payload &&
action.payload.activity
) {
const activity = action.payload.activity;

if (activity?.value?.actionType === "submitEmploymentStatus") {
const selectedStatus = activity.value.employmentStatus;

// Send event to Copilot Studio to set global variable
dispatch({
type: "DIRECT_LINE/POST_ACTIVITY",
payload: {
activity: {
type: "event",
name: "SetVariable",
value: {
name: "Global.VarUserType",
value: selectedStatus
}
}
}
});

console.log(`Global.VarUserType set to ${selectedStatus}`);
}
}
} catch (err) {
console.error("Error in WebChat middleware:", err);
}

return next(action);
});

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Verified answer

SwatiSTW 671 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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set variable from browser to Copilot studio - - REDUX / direct line API

Hi @Anilal,

You want to set a Copilot Studio global variable from Web Chat after a radio selection. Posting a custom SetVariable event with DIRECT_LINE/POST_ACTIVITY is unsupported and causes the Web Chat error.

1. use pvaSetContext and send it with WEB_CHAT/SEND_EVENT, not DIRECT_LINE/POST_ACTIVITY

2. remove the Global. prefix when sending the variable name; send VarUserType for Global.VarUserType

3. keep your middleware and, on submit, dispatch pvaSetContext like this

const store = window.WebChat.createStore({}, ({ dispatch }) => next => action => {
if (
action.type === 'DIRECT_LINE/POST_ACTIVITY' &&
action.payload?.activity?.value?.actionType === 'submitEmploymentStatus'
) {
const selectedStatus = action.payload.activity.value.employmentStatus;

dispatch({
type: 'WEB_CHAT/SEND_EVENT',
payload: {
name: 'pvaSetContext',
value: { VarUserType: selectedStatus } // no "Global."
}
});

console.log('Global.VarUserType ->', selectedStatus);
}

return next(action);
});

4. in Copilot Studio mark the variable as Global and allow External sources can set values; if you read it early, add Get value from this node if empty and a short timeout

5. if you prefer to set it on connect, send pvaSetContext on DIRECT_LINE/CONNECT_FULFILLED

const store = window.WebChat.createStore({}, ({ dispatch }) => next => action => {
if (action.type === 'DIRECT_LINE/CONNECT_FULFILLED') {
dispatch({
type: 'WEB_CHAT/SEND_EVENT',
payload: { name: 'pvaSetContext', value: { VarUserType: 'Current Employee' } }
});
}
return next(action);
});

6. render Web Chat with the same store

window.WebChat.renderWebChat(
{ directLine: window.WebChat.createDirectLine({ token }), store },
document.getElementById('webchat')
);

7. test by reading the variable in a message or condition; it should resolve after pvaSetContext arrives or fall back to your default after the timeout

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Anilal 14 on at

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set variable from browser to Copilot studio - - REDUX / direct line API

Update - followed this below MS link, still not setting the variable properly,

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-copilot-studio/guidance/pass-context-variables-from-webpage-to-copilot

Any one here tried , kindly share some lights to this,

Anilal

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