# 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.

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## 1\. Find every page that uses it

1. Open the variable in the catalogue.
2. 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.

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## 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.

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## 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.

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## 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.

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## 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.

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## Related

### [A variable says no pages use it, or shows no usage at all](https://help.gocapable.com/variables/a-variable-says-no-pages-use-it-or-shows-no-usage-at-all.html)

When the count looks wrong.

### [The type cannot be changed](https://help.gocapable.com/variables/the-type-cannot-be-changed.html)

Why the type is locked.

### [Details sidebar](https://help.gocapable.com/variables/details-sidebar.html)

Value, usage and editing.

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_Repoint first, delete last._