---
url: /technical/model-variables.md
description: >-
  A Variable is a model-scoped key-value pair, read in Cards, Workviews, Cube
  Formulas, Processes, and the Excel Add-in.
---

# Model Variables

A **Variable** is a key-value pair, scoped to the model, that can be read from almost anywhere the model is used: [Cards](/card-guides/), Workviews (see [Using Model Variables](/technical/using-model-variables) for the Workview-specific dimension-prefixed pattern), Cube Formulas, Processes, and the Excel Add-in.

## Managing variables

Open **Variables** (under Modelling in the model's navigation panel) to see every variable defined in the model, its key and current value:

![The Variables panel, listing each variable's key and value](/model-variable-overview.png)

Click **New Variable** to add one, or **Manage** on an existing row to edit or delete it.

## Creating and editing a variable elsewhere

Beyond the Variables panel itself, a variable can also be:

* **Created or updated from a Process**, via [`script.variableSet`](/process-functions/script-variableset).
* **Read from a Cube Formula**, via [`VARIABLE`](/cube-functions/variable).
* **Read from the Excel Add-in**, via [`VariableGet`](/excel-addin/variableget) - and edited directly from Excel too.

::: tip Reserved variables
Some variables are reserved by MODLR itself rather than created by a modeller - `user-id`, for example. See [Reserved Variables](/technical/reserved-variables) for the full list and where each one resolves.
:::