Retire or replace a variable safely
Deleting a variable that pages still show leaves [unavailable] in their text. Changing a type or moving a variable between space and global is not possible in place. Both are done the same way: point the pages somewhere else first, then retire the old variable.
#1. Find every page that uses it
Open the variable in the catalogue.
Select Used on N pages that you can see. Capable Search opens with every page that shows it.
The count only includes pages you can see, and pages published in the last few minutes may not be counted yet. Ask a space administrator to check too if the space has restricted pages.
#2. Create the replacement (if you need one)
Create a new variable with the type or scope you want, for example a Number instead of a Text, or a global variable instead of a space one. The new variable can have the same name if it is in a different scope.
#3. Repoint each page
On each page, edit, open the macro's settings and click the replacement in Choose a variable. Or, if the value is no longer needed, delete the macro or type the value in as plain text. Publish.
#4. Retire the old variable
When the usage line says No pages that you can see use this variable, select Delete. The confirmation repeats the count; if it is not zero, go back to step 1.
Deleting moves the variable to the space trash. A space administrator can restore it from there if something was missed.
#A few things that catch people out
Renaming never needs any of this. Pages refer to the variable by ID, so a new name is safe.
Live docs are not counted in usage. Check any you know use the variable by hand.
Published Capable Sites keep the old value until you publish them again.
#Related
Repoint first, delete last.
