# Set Flow Input Variable Values from a Wrapper Aura Component

When you embed a flow in a custom Aura component, give the flow more context by initializing its variables. In the component's controller, create a list of maps, then pass that list to the startFlow method.

:::tip
We recommend using Lightning web components because they perform better and provide the latest functionality. See [Embed a Flow in a Custom Lightning Web Component](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/platform/lwc/guide/use-flow-embed-component.md).
:::

You can set variables only at the beginning of an interview, and the variables you set must allow input access. If you reference a variable that doesn’t allow input access, attempts to set the variable are ignored.

For each variable you set, provide the variable's `name`, `type`, and `value`. For type, use the API name for the flow data type. For example, for a record variable use SObject, and for a text variable use String.

```javascript
{
     name : "varName",
     type : "flowDataType",
     value : valueToSet
},
{
     name : "varName",
     type : "flowDataType",
     value : [ value1, value2]
}, ...
```

## Example: Set Values for Variables

In this example, this JavaScript controller sets values for a number variable, a date collection variable, and a couple of record variables. The Record data type in Flow Builder corresponds to SObject here.

```javascript
({
  init: function (component) {
    // Find the component whose aura:id is "flowData"
    var flow = component.find("flowData");
    var inputVariables = [
      { name: "numVar", type: "Number", value: 30 },
      { name: "dateColl", type: "String", value: ["2016-10-27", "2017-08-01"] },
      // Sets values for fields in the account record (sObject) variable. Id uses
      // the value of the component's accountId attribute. Rating uses a string.
      {
        name: "account",
        type: "SObject",
        value: {
          Id: component.get("v.accountId"),
          Rating: "Warm",
        },
      },
      // Set the contact record (sObject) variable to the value of the
      // component's contact attribute. We're assuming the attribute contains
      // the entire sObject for a contact record.
      { name: "contact", type: "SObject", value: component.get("v.contact") },
    ];
    flow.startFlow("myFlow", inputVariables);
  },
});
```

## Example: Retrieve the Most Recently Modified Account via an Apex Controller

In this example, the Apex controller passes the data to the flow's record variable through the JavaScript controller.

```nolang
<aura:component controller="AccountController" >
   <aura:attribute name="account" type="Account" />
   <aura:handler name="init" value="{!this}" action="{!c.init}"/>
   <lightning:flow aura:id="flowData"/>
</aura:component>
```

```apex
public with sharing class AccountController {
    @AuraEnabled
    public static Account getAccount() {
       return [SELECT Id, Name, LastModifiedDate FROM Account
       ORDER BY LastModifiedDate DESC LIMIT 1];
    }
 }
```

```javascript
({
  init: function (component) {
    // Create action to find an account
    var action = component.get("c.getAccount");

    // Add callback behavior for when response is received
    action.setCallback(this, function (response) {
      var state = response.getState();
      if (state === "SUCCESS") {
        // Pass the account data into the component's account attribute
        component.set("v.account", response.getReturnValue());
        // Find the component whose aura:id is "flowData"
        var flow = component.find("flowData");
        // Set the account record (sObject) variable to the value of
        // the component's account attribute.
        var inputVariables = [
          {
            name: "account",
            type: "SObject",
            value: component.get("v.account"),
          },
        ];

        // In the component whose aura:id is flowData, start your flow
        // and initialize the account record (sObject) variable.
        // Reference the flow's API name.
        flow.startFlow("myFlow", inputVariables);
      } else {
        console.log("Failed to get account date.");
      }
    });

    // Send action to be executed
    $A.enqueueAction(action);
  },
});
```

**See Also**

- [*Component Library*: lightning:flow Component](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/component-library/bundle/lightning\:flow/documentation)

- [Which Custom Lightning Component Attribute Types Are Supported in Flows?](/docs/platform/aura-platform/guide/components-config-for-flow-tips-map.md)