> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.visualradioassist.live/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Variables

> Variables hold the values your visuals read at playout. Every variable has a scope: Station or Visual.

Variables hold the values your visuals read at playout: a show name, a sponsor logo, a headline, live data from an API. Every variable has a **scope**, Station or Visual. The scope decides where the variable can be used and how its value reaches your outputs.

<iframe width="100%" height="400" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vSM2ar3nPtU" title="Variables" frameBorder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowFullScreen />

**You can learn the basics in the video guide: [How to Use Simple Variables in Visual Radio Graphics](/video-guides/how-to-use-simple-variables-in-visual-radio-graphics)**

## Scope

* **Station** - defined once for your station and usable in every visual. Change the value in one place and every output follows, live. Use it for data that applies across the station, like branding, show names or election results.
* **Visual** - part of one visual, and saved with that graphic. Use it for show-specific visuals and lower thirds whose value is set per rundown item or in playout.

<Note>
  Broadcast managers can make a station variable **Broadcaster-wide**. It is
  then available to every station in the broadcaster, marked with a
  **Broadcaster-wide** badge, and only managers can edit it.
</Note>

## Create a variable

Go to **Settings → Outputs → Variables** and click **Add new → New variable**. Pick the **Scope** first. A visual variable also asks for the **Visual** it belongs to.

* **Name** - the display name operators see.
* **Reference** - a unique reference, generated from the name. You can adjust it.
* **Variable type** - where the value comes from, see below.
* **Data type** - what kind of value it holds, for user input and database variables.
* **Playout access** - without playout access the variable is hidden in the Output Playout and on the Variables page under Outputs.

Media variables can set an **Upload folder**, so newly uploaded media for this variable lands in a specific [Media Hub](/media-hub) folder instead of the root.

You can also create a visual variable straight from the [Visual Designer](/visual-designer): open the **Variables** panel, click **+** and choose **Create variable**. The scope is set to Visual for you.

The scope is fixed once the variable exists.

### Variable types

* **User Input** - a value you set manually, in the editor or live on the Variables page.
* **Database** - like user input, but values are stored and searchable. Useful for recurring data such as reporter names, where you want to pick from earlier entries.
* **Api Data Source** - the value is fed by an [API Data Source](/api-data-sources), like an RSS feed. You link the data source and optionally cap the item count.
* **Music Track Meta** - song details from your radio automation, such as artist and title.

Which types and data types are available depends on your plan and enabled features.

### Data types

User input and database variables pick a data type: **Text**, **Long Text**, **Number**, **Boolean**, **Options** with a predefined list of choices, and the **Media Image** and **Media Video** families for selecting or uploading media. Most types can set a default value.

## Organize station variables with groups

With the Station scope selected, use **Add new → New group** to organize related variables under a named group, like "Show branding" or "Election night". Drag variables in and out of groups and reorder them. The same order shows up on the Variables page under Outputs. Deleting a group never deletes its variables, they just become ungrouped.

## Use a variable in a visual

In the [Visual Designer](/visual-designer):

* **Text layers** - type **/** in the text field or open the data selector, then pick from the **Station variables** or **Visual variables** section.
* **Dynamic media and other layers** - select the variable in the layer's variable dropdown. Variables are listed under **Station variables** and **Visual variables**.

<Note>
  Image Media layers don't accept variables. Use the **Dynamic Media** layer
  instead.
</Note>

### Use a visual variable in more visuals

In the Visual Designer's **Variables** panel, click **+** and choose **Link variable** to use a visual variable from another visual in this one as well. Each visual keeps its own value, so changing it in one visual does not change it in the others.

## Change station values live

The **Variables** page under Outputs is the live control surface for station variables. It lists every station variable with playout access, grouped and ordered like the settings page. Select a variable or a whole group, edit the values, and click **Apply to all visuals** to push the changes to every output at once.

The right column shows **live previews** of visuals, so you see the impact of a change before and after applying it. Which visuals appear there is up to you: pick them under **Visual previews** on the Variables settings page.