# Variables A variable is a field in your data, such as a supporter's region, date of birth, or the amount of each donation. Each variable belongs to a [table](), and you find it on the **Variables** tab of the [data picker](), in the folders set up for your system. ## Types of variables Every variable has a type, which decides what it holds and what you can do with it. The data picker shows the type as an icon next to each variable's name. | Type | Icon | What it holds | Example | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Selector]() | A tick | One category for each record, from a fixed list | Region, Occupation | | [Multi-response]() (array) | Two ticks | Any number of categories for each record | Contact permissions, Newspapers read | | [Text]() | ABC | Free text | Surname, Postcode, Email Address | | [Numeric]() | 123 | Numbers | Age, Holiday Length | | [Currency]() | A currency symbol, such as £ | Amounts of money | Donation Amount, Cost | | [Date]() | A calendar | Dates | Date of First Donation | | [DateTime]() | A calendar with a clock | Dates with a time of day | Time of a website visit | | [Reference]() | A barcode | A unique reference for each record | Household URN, Supporter ID | ## Filter by a variable When you choose a variable for a filter, in an audience or on a dashboard, you then choose which of its values to include or exclude. The options depend on the variable's type: - [Selector and multi-response variables](): Tick the categories you want - [Text variables](): Enter values to match exactly, or by how they start, end, or what they contain, including wildcards - [Numeric and currency variables](): Set ranges of values, such as more than £100 - [Date and DateTime variables](): Set a date range, which can move with today's date - [Reference variables](): Enter the references of specific records For most types, the steps follow the same pattern: 1. Choose how to match from the dropdown, such as **Is any of** or **Is none of**. 2. Choose the values. Where the type supports files, you can use any of these tabs: - **Values**: Tick the values in a list, or type or paste them, depending on the type - **Existing File**: Use a file of values that's already saved in your FastStats system - **Upload File**: Upload a file of values from your computer 3. Select **Apply**. > [!TIP] > > Select the **expand** icon in the top-right corner to view the values full-screen. ## Use a file of values A file of values saves you choosing or typing many values by hand. For example, you could upload a list of postcode sectors for an ad hoc sales territory, or a list of email addresses. You can use a file for selector, multi-response, text, and reference variables. To upload a file of values: 1. Select the **Upload File** tab. 2. Select **Select File**, and choose the file on your computer. 3. If the preview is as you expect, select **Next**. 4. Choose where to save the file in your FastStats system, and optionally change its name. 5. Select **Upload**, then **Apply**. The file must have: - No header row - A single column of values - No quotes around the values Each type has its own rules too, such as which file types it accepts. See the rules for [selector](), [text](), and [reference]() variables. To use a file that's already saved in your FastStats system, select the **Existing File** tab, search for or browse to the file, select it, and select **Apply**. It's also available on the [**Files** tab]() of the data picker. ## Codes and descriptions The categories of selector and multi-response variables each have a code and a description, such as the code `NW` for the description North West. You'll see them in a few places: - In the list of categories when you filter, where **View** lets you show codes, descriptions, or both - In [message personalisation](), where you choose whether a message shows the description or the code - In the data picker, where **Include codes in search** matches categories by their codes or descriptions ## Variables on dashboard tiles How a variable works on a tile also depends on its type: - **As a [dimension]()**: Selector and text variables split a tile's data by their categories. Date and numeric variables split it into bands, such as years or ranges of values. - **As a [measure]()**: Numeric and currency variables give a summary of their values, such as the total or average donation, using a function such as **Sum** or **Mean**. ## Custom variables As well as the variables built into your system, you can create your own in Orbit, from your existing data or from a file you upload. A [custom variable]() then behaves like any other variable, and you find it in the data picker in the same way. > [!NOTE] > > **Example** > > Ahead of a year-end appeal, a charity combines its major donors, regular givers, and lapsed donors into one selector variable, "Supporter value". As the dimension of a dashboard tile, it shows how the supporter base breaks down. See the [combine audiences example](). ## Organise and describe your variables Variables are easier to find and use when they're well organised and clearly described: - **Folders**: In an Orbit Connect system, you can choose which folders your variables appear in. See [Folder structure](). - **Descriptions**: Variable names don't always say what a variable holds, such as `CuMarita` for marital status. Add a description in the [data dictionary](), for your team and for the Orin AI assistant.