Variables FAQ

Each answer is short and links to the page with the detail.

#Can I keep a value private?

No. Anyone who can view the space that holds a variable can read its value, find it in search and see its past values. Restrictions only limit editing. Never store secrets. See Who can see a value.

#What happens to pages when I change a value?

They show the new value the next time they load. They get no new version and watchers are not notified, even on pages you cannot edit.

#Will renaming a variable break pages?

No. Pages refer to the variable by ID, not by name.

#What do readers without access see?

[unavailable] where the value would be, with a tooltip explaining why. See How a value appears on the page.

#Can I use a variable from another space?

Not a space variable. Create it as a global variable instead and any page in any space can use it.

#Can I put a value in the middle of a sentence?

Yes, from the editor: type /variable where the value belongs. Values added from the byline go in a paragraph of their own.

#Do values appear in PDF and Word exports?

Yes, as plain text, read as the person exporting. Other export types show [unavailable]. See Exports to PDF and Word.

#Do values appear on published Capable Sites?

Text, Number and Date values do, from the spaces the site publishes and from global variables. User values never do. See Capable Sites.

#What happens if we move from Advanced to Standard?

Nothing breaks. Pages keep showing their values; you can no longer create variables or choose a different one in a macro.

#Can I undo a change?

There is no restore button, but Version history in the details sidebar shows every past value. Copy the one you want and save it as the current value.

#Is there a limit on how many pages can use a variable?

No. See Limits for the limits that do exist.

#Related

The short answers.