Google Connector Path Variable

I need to pass a variable that contains a dynamic path to a Google Drive Connector node. The Working Folder flow variable appears to accept parameters, but you can’t leave the working directory value empty, which will then not overwrite the value. How does this node accept dynamic values as my folder structure will change each reporting period?

Also why isn’t path information natively passed between compatible nodes like the file reader? It’s connected by a common port, but no variable can be used. I’m sure I’m not the first person to need to do something like this.

Then, I need an Excel Reader node to also read from that same path, but I’m getting a null value when I try to pass it. So how are these nodes supposed to communicate?