> ## 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.

# Template Variables

> Using column variables and custom variables in templates

Variables are placeholders in your prompt that get replaced with actual data for each row.

## Two Types of Variables

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Column Variables" icon="table">
    `{{ColumnName}}`

    Pulls data from your CSV columns. Different value for each row.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Custom Variables" icon="code">
    `{{$VariableName}}`

    Pulls from your saved custom variables. Same value for all rows.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Column Variables

### Syntax

```text theme={null}
{{Column Name}}
```

### How They Work

Column variables reference your CSV data directly:

| Your CSV Column | Variable to Use  |
| --------------- | ---------------- |
| `First Name`    | `{{First Name}}` |
| `Company`       | `{{Company}}`    |
| `Job Title`     | `{{Job Title}}`  |
| `City`          | `{{City}}`       |
| `Industry`      | `{{Industry}}`   |

### Example

**Your prompt:**

```text theme={null}
Write a hook for {{First Name}} at {{Company}} in {{City}}.
```

**Row 1 data:** Sarah, Acme Corp, Austin

**Becomes:**

```text theme={null}
Write a hook for Sarah at Acme Corp in Austin.
```

**Row 2 data:** Mike, BuildCo, Denver

**Becomes:**

```text theme={null}
Write a hook for Mike at BuildCo in Denver.
```

### Case Sensitivity

Variable matching is **case-insensitive**:

* `{{company}}` matches column "Company"
* `{{COMPANY}}` matches column "Company"
* `{{Company}}` matches column "company"

<Tip>
  Use the exact column name from your CSV for clarity, but know that case doesn't matter.
</Tip>

***

## Custom Variables

### Syntax

```text theme={null}
{{$VariableName}}
```

Note the `$` prefix — this distinguishes custom variables from column variables.

### How They Work

Custom variables are values you define once in Settings:

| Variable Name  | Value              | Use In Template     |
| -------------- | ------------------ | ------------------- |
| `CompanyName`  | "Acme Funding"     | `{{$CompanyName}}`  |
| `ProductName`  | "QuickCash Pro"    | `{{$ProductName}}`  |
| `CurrentOffer` | "24-hour approval" | `{{$CurrentOffer}}` |

### Example

**Your custom variable:** `$CompanyName` = "Acme Funding"

**Your prompt:**

```text theme={null}
We're {{$CompanyName}} and we help companies like {{Company}} 
access fast capital.
```

**Becomes (for every row):**

```text theme={null}
We're Acme Funding and we help companies like [their company] 
access fast capital.
```

### When to Use Custom Variables

* Your company name
* Your product name
* Current offers or promotions
* Sender name
* Contact information
* Anything consistent across all leads

<Note>
  Custom variables let you update one value in Settings and have it apply to all templates that use it.
</Note>

***

## What Happens If a Variable Isn't Found

### Missing Column Variable

If `{{Company}}` is used but no "Company" column exists:

* Variable is replaced with empty string
* Prompt cleanup removes orphan prepositions ("at " becomes "")
* Output may be less personalized

### Missing Custom Variable

If `{{$ProductName}}` is used but not defined in Settings:

* Variable is replaced with empty string
* May cause awkward phrasing

<Warning>
  Test your templates to catch missing variable issues before running full jobs!
</Warning>

***

## Variable Best Practices

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Use descriptive column names">
    `{{Recent_Funding_Round}}` is clearer than `{{col7}}`
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Check your CSV columns first">
    View your file's column list before writing templates
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Use custom variables for repeated values">
    Don't hardcode your company name — use `{{$CompanyName}}`
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Test with sample data">
    Run a test to see how variables resolve with real data
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Combining Variable Types

You can use both types in the same template:

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

I'm reaching out from {{$CompanyName}} because {{Company}} 
in the {{Industry}} space could benefit from {{$CurrentOffer}}.

Best,
{{$SenderName}}
```

This combines:

* CSV data: `{{First Name}}`, `{{Company}}`, `{{Industry}}`
* Custom variables: `{{$CompanyName}}`, `{{$CurrentOffer}}`, `{{$SenderName}}`