# Variables FAQ

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

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## 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](https://help.gocapable.com/variables/who-can-see-a-value.html).

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## 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.

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## Will renaming a variable break pages?

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

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## 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](https://help.gocapable.com/variables/how-a-value-appears-on-the-page.html).

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## 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.

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## 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.

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## 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](https://help.gocapable.com/variables/exports-to-pdf-and-word.html).

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## 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](https://help.gocapable.com/variables/capable-sites.html).

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## 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.

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## 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.

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

No. See [Limits](https://help.gocapable.com/variables/limits.html) for the limits that do exist.

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## Related

### [Get started](https://help.gocapable.com/variables/get-started.html)

Your first variable.

### [What is not available](https://help.gocapable.com/variables/what-is-not-available.html)

What it does not do.

### [Troubleshooting](https://help.gocapable.com/variables/troubleshooting.html)

Symptoms and fixes.

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_The short answers._