simple process builder failing with error "failed to access the value for variable because it hasn't been set or assigned"

Question

Note: This error might look like a familiar error but the resolution mentioned in the salesforce knowledge article is not working in the below case and I am not sure why, hence posting this question.

Problem description:

1. I have a process builder on case object set to fire for every time new record is created.
2. Criteria is set to 'Formula evaluates to True' with below formula: AND(NOT(ISBLANK([Case].AccountId)),ISPICKVAL([Case].Account.Active__c,'Yes'))
3. With immediate action set to update custom field on the Case object.
4. Custom field Active__c on the Account object is type picklist with two possible values 'yes' and 'no'.

Screenshots of the process builder:

Creating a case as shown in the below screenshot with very minimal details and especially not populating account details:

Throws below error:

The flow failed to access the value for myVariable_current.Account.Active__c because it hasn't been set or assigned.

Relevant data from log file:

22:14:31.0 (12479016)|WF_FLOW_ACTION_BEGIN|09L370000000FEJ 22:14:31.13 (13607478)|FLOW_CREATE_INTERVIEW_BEGIN|00D37000000H8hr|300370000008ZTl|301370000004weE 22:14:31.13 (15394571)|FLOW_CREATE_INTERVIEW_END|5525dfa7819c33f438ce3cef9b6c15c668d8ff2-3d11|Test 22:14:31.15 (15820974)|FLOW_START_INTERVIEWS_BEGIN|1 22:14:31.15 (16674702)|FLOW_START_INTERVIEW_BEGIN|5525dfa7819c33f438ce3cef9b6c15c668d8ff2-3d11|Test 22:14:31.15 (35470120)|FLOW_ELEMENT_ERROR|The flow failed to access the value for myVariable_current.Account.Active__c because it hasn't been set or assigned.|| 22:14:31.15 (35479812)|FLOW_START_INTERVIEW_END|5525dfa7819c33f438ce3cef9b6c15c668d8ff2-3d11|Test 22:14:31.15 (35517783)|FLOW_START_INTERVIEWS_END|Interview error. Aborting all.|5525dfa7819c33f438ce3cef9b6c15c668d8ff2-3d11|Test 22:14:31.15 (35528335)|FLOW_START_INTERVIEWS_END|1 22:14:31.0 (35588898)|WF_FLOW_ACTION_ERROR|09L370000000FEJ|300370000008ZTl|Error executing flow: test, FlowDefId: 300370000008ZTl, FlowVersionId: 301370000004weE 22:14:31.0 (35612585)|WF_FLOW_ACTION_ERROR_DETAIL|An unhandled fault has occurred in this flow
An unhandled fault has occurred while processing the flow. Please contact your system administrator for more information. 22:14:31.0 (35683203)|WF_FLOW_ACTION_END|09L370000000FEJ

URL to the complete debug log : https://pastebin.com/J5b7nX7g (Note: You can see from the log that there are no other workflow rules or triggers on the case object).

My analysis: When the first condition inside the AND expression is evaluating as false, why is it trying to evaluating the second condition to check the custom field on the Account object? It shouldn't right?

Any help?

EDIT: I am looking to solve this using option 'Formula Evaluates to True' only because I have other complex criteria like checking the day(Mon vs Tue and etc) of the case creation.

Answer 1

Ok. I raised ticket with Salesforce on this and they came back saying it is a known issue(After more than a month of back and forth) and updated the Knowledge article with the work around for situations like these where Picklist fields are referenced in the formula.

NOTE: As mentioned in Known Issue W-2763830, this formula syntax does not work when using Formula-Based Criteria and making a cross-object reference to a Picklist field (specifically when using the TEXT or ISPICKVAL functions with the spanning reference to that picklist). If you need to make cross-object reference to a picklist field in Process Builder Criteria, use Condition-Based criteria. If you must use formula-based criteria, use the CASE function when making cross-object references to picklists.

URL to the known issue on this : https://success.salesforce.com/issues_view?id=a1p300000008aUBAAY

URL to the knowledge article: https://help.salesforce.com/articleView?id=000212174&type=1

In my case, I had to change the formula as below using CASE function instead of ISPICKVAL function:

Fails:

AND(NOT(ISBLANK([Case].AccountId)),ISPICKVAL([Case].Account.Active__c,'Yes'))

Works:

AND(NOT(ISBLANK([Case].AccountId)),CASE([Case].Account.Active__c,"Yes",1,0)=1)

Answer 2

Rather than using formula, Choose Conditions are met and use same conditions which you are mentioning in the formula, it will work smoothly.

If you do not mention the AccountId is not null then it will throw following error message.

Workaround using formulas

Breakdown the formula in 2 parts

1. Account is Null, here just update a dummy action, as without specifying action you cannot activate the process.

2. Account is Active, here you can accommodate other conditions in the formula and run your desired update.

Answer 3

Can you try using below formula instead and try, Similar case worked for me.

AND([Case].AccountId!=Null, TEXT([Case].AccountActive)="Yes")

Answer 4

Ok, As per Help doc, Description:A Process that makes a cross-object reference will fail when the foreign key (i.e. relationship field) the reference depends on is not populated. So here in this error myVariable_current.Account.Active__c, it seems may be because we are not specifying the Active__c. So Can you try the below formula and check if it will work,

AND(NOT(ISBLANK([Case].AccountId)),([Case].Account.Active__c)!=Null, ISPICKVAL([Case].Account.Active__c),"Yes")

Answer 5

I wished to provide my findings to this issue, as I found an even more complicated scenario which throws this error.

If you use a formula field as apart of a process builders criteria, and within this formula field you have cross object references. Well then the process builder will throw this error unless you first 'null check' the cross object reference even within the formula field.

Once null checked this error went away.