Sharepoint Resource Center

By default the Build Dynamic String action is not available in Sharepoint Designer 2010 (anyone knows the rationale behind this?).

There are a few string manipulation activities that can be used instead - however, they using them may prove to be much more tricky and time consuming than the old 2007 action we've all grown to love. 

The good news is you can re-enable the action in SPD 2010 with just a few clicks. 

1) Navigate to \Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\web server extensions\14\TEMPLATE\1033\Workflow on your system drive

2) Open the WSS.Actions file (this is where information about all default SPD actions is stored)

3) Find "Build Dynamic String" and change the "AppliesTo" parameter from "DisplayOnly" to "all". Save the file

4) Run IISReset, re-open SPD - you should now have the Build Dynamic String action available

Note: Direct modifications of WSS.ACTIONS file are probably not recommended or potentially not supported by Microsoft. Use this hack at your own risk.