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

# Custom Variables

> Create reusable values for your templates

Custom variables are reusable values that you define once and use across multiple templates.

## What Are Custom Variables?

Values you define in Settings that stay constant across all rows:

| Example Variable | Example Value                                                        |
| ---------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `CompanyName`    | "Acme Funding"                                                       |
| `ProductName`    | "QuickCash Pro"                                                      |
| `CurrentOffer`   | "24-hour approval with rates from 5%"                                |
| `SenderName`     | "Sarah Johnson"                                                      |
| `CalendlyLink`   | "[https://calendly.com/sarah-acme](https://calendly.com/sarah-acme)" |

## Custom Variables vs Column Variables

| Type                | Syntax             | Source   | Value             |
| ------------------- | ------------------ | -------- | ----------------- |
| **Column Variable** | `{{Company}}`      | Your CSV | Different per row |
| **Custom Variable** | `{{$CompanyName}}` | Settings | Same for all rows |

<Note>
  Custom variables use a `$` prefix: `{{$VariableName}}`
</Note>

## Managing Custom Variables

### Accessing Custom Variables

1. Click **Settings** in the sidebar
2. Click **Custom Variables**

### Adding a Variable

<Steps>
  <Step title="Click Add Variable">
    Click the "Add Variable" button
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter Variable Name">
    Enter the name (without the \$ symbol)

    Example: `CompanyName` not `$CompanyName`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter Variable Value">
    Enter the value you want to use
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save">
    Click Save to create the variable
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Editing a Variable

1. Find the variable in your list
2. Click Edit
3. Update the value
4. Save

### Deleting a Variable

1. Find the variable in your list
2. Click Delete
3. Confirm deletion

<Warning>
  Deleting a variable will cause templates using it to have empty values for that variable!
</Warning>

## Using Custom Variables in Templates

Reference with the `$` prefix:

```text theme={null}
Hi {{First Name}},

I'm reaching out from {{$CompanyName}}. We help {{Industry}} 
companies like {{Company}} with {{$CurrentOffer}}.

Would you be open to a quick chat?

{{$SenderName}}
```

**Result for each row:**

* `{{First Name}}`, `{{Company}}`, `{{Industry}}` → Different per lead
* `{{$CompanyName}}`, `{{$CurrentOffer}}`, `{{$SenderName}}` → Same for all

## Best Use Cases

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Company Info" icon="building">
    Your company name, tagline, website
  </Card>

  <Card title="Product Info" icon="box">
    Product name, key features, pricing
  </Card>

  <Card title="Current Campaigns" icon="bullhorn">
    Offers, promotions, seasonal messaging
  </Card>

  <Card title="Sender Info" icon="user">
    Name, title, calendar link, phone
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Benefits of Custom Variables

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Update once, apply everywhere">
    Change your offer in Settings and all templates using `{{$CurrentOffer}}` update automatically.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Consistency across templates">
    Ensure your company name is spelled the same way in every template.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Easy A/B testing">
    Swap out variables to test different offers or messaging.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Cleaner templates">
    Keep your prompts focused on personalization, not hardcoded values.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Tips

<Tip>
  Create custom variables for anything you might want to change across multiple templates at once.
</Tip>

<Tip>
  Use clear naming: `CurrentOffer` is better than `Offer1` or `var3`.
</Tip>