Variables

Custom variables are used to control wording throughout a report
Wording is changed in one place and that change is reflected throughout a report
Custom variables can be inserted into text blocks and tables in a report by inserting a field

A report uses the wording 'Example text' many times. In reality this wording could be anything, a year, a person's name, a number etc. If the wording is likely to change, working through a report to update all instances of the wording could take a long time. Instead create and insert a custom variable and make the change in only one place.

Add a custom variable

To add a new custom variable:

Click Inputs > Variables
Click New
Type a name for the variable: Example
Type a value for the variable: Example text
Alternatively, new custom variables can be added when inserting fields

Import custom variables

To import custom variables from Excel into the report:

Click Inputs > Variables
Click Import
Select the file to import

The required format of the import file is:

	Column A	Column B
Column	Variable name	Value
Required	Required	Required
Notes	25 characters maximum length	100 characters maximum length

The file can have a maximum of 200 rows.

The following image shows a valid sample file:

Export custom variables

To export custom variables to Excel:

Click Inputs > Variables
Click Export

Insert a custom variable

To insert a custom variable into a text block:

Click Sections > Notes > All notes
Click to open any note
Click to edit any text block
Click the Insert field button
Click Custom variable
Select the variable named 'Example'
Click OK

Edit a custom variable

To edit the value of the variable:

Click Report Options > Variables
Find the variable named 'Example'
Click on the variable value cell and type a new value 'New example text'
The wording where the variable was inserted in the report will be updated from 'Example text' to 'New example text'
Alternatively, custom variables can be edited when inserting fields