# Variables catalogue

The catalogue is where variables are created and managed. Open it from **Apps**, then **Capable**, then **Variables**, or from a space's **Capable** page.

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## Sections

| **Section**          | **What it holds**                                                 | **When you see it** |
| -------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------- |
| **Getting started**  | A short introduction, help cards and **View full documentation**. | Always              |
| **Space variables**  | Variables kept in this space.                                     | Inside a space      |
| **Global variables** | Variables any page can use.                                       | Always              |

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## Columns

| **Column**                            | **What it shows**                                                                      |
| ------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Name**                              | The variable's name.                                                                   |
| **Value**                             | The current value, formatted as pages show it. People show with their avatar and name. |
| **Type**                              | Text, Number, User or Date.                                                            |
| **Last modified** and **Modified by** | When it last changed, and who changed it.                                              |
| **Edit access**                       | An open lock (**You can edit**) or **Only specific people can edit**.                  |
| Actions (**...**)                     | **Edit**, **Restrictions** and **Delete**, as far as you have permission.              |

Rows are sorted by name, 25 to a page. Click a row to open the [details sidebar](https://help.gocapable.com/variables/details-sidebar.html).

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## Search

The **Search variables** box filters by name, description and the displayed value, ignoring case. Dates match either way they are written, for example _14 Oct 2026_ or _2026-10-14_, and people match by name. Switching sections clears the search.

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## Create

**Create**, top right, opens **Create variable** (or **Create global variable**) with **Name**, **Type**, **Value** and **Description**. When it saves you see **Created** followed by the variable's name. If the button is greyed out, hover over it for the reason, or see [Create is greyed out](https://help.gocapable.com/variables/create-is-greyed-out.html).

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## A few things that catch people out

* Each section loads the 500 most recently changed variables. Beyond that the catalogue says so, and search only covers what is loaded. See [The catalogue says it is showing the 500 most recently changed variables](https://help.gocapable.com/variables/the-catalogue-says-it-is-showing-the-500-most-recently-changed-variables.html).
* Columns cannot be re-sorted; the order is always by name.
* The first time anyone opens Variables in a space, Capable sets up a store for it. The **Create** button says **Setting up Variables for this space** for a moment.

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## Related

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

Value, usage and editing.

### [Edit access and version history](https://help.gocapable.com/variables/edit-access-and-version-history.html)

Who can edit, and past values.

### [Space and global variables](https://help.gocapable.com/variables/space-and-global-variables.html)

Where a variable lives.

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_Every variable, one list._