Skip to main content
The Variables panel () lets you define named placeholders that can be used throughout your document. Instead of repeating the same value in multiple places, define it once as a variable and reference it with {{variableName}} — when the value changes, every occurrence updates automatically.
Variables panel showing text, number, image, list, and table variables

​
Why use variables?

  • Central updates — Change a company name, logo, or document number in one place and it updates everywhere in the document.
  • Bulk generation — Variables serve as the template for bulk document creation. Define default values in the editor, then override them per document via CSV or API.
  • API automation — When generating documents via the REST API, variables are passed as JSON. The values defined in the panel act as defaults that can be overridden at render time.

​
Variable types

Autype supports five variable types. Use the buttons at the top of the panel to add a new variable: When creating a variable, you choose a name that must start with a letter or underscore and can only contain letters, numbers, and underscores (e.g. companyName, logo_image, featureList). The name cannot be changed after creation.

​
Text variables

A text variable holds a single string value (max 1,000 characters). Use it for anything that appears inline in your document — company names, author names, dates, etc.
Text variable with value set
Insert into document:
Text variables can be placed anywhere inline — inside paragraphs, headings, table cells, or list items.

​
Number variables

A number variable holds a single numeric value (integer or decimal). Use it for amounts, counts, IDs, or any dynamic numeric content. Insert into document:
Number variables are automatically converted to their string representation when used inline. They are especially useful in chart data arrays, where they are resolved to numeric values at render time.
For chart variable substitution details, see the JSON Syntax — Charts reference.

​
Image variables

An image variable stores a reference to an image file along with optional width, height, and caption properties.
Image variable with source, dimensions, and caption fields
You can either enter an image path manually or click the button to upload an image directly. Uploaded images are stored as project assets. Insert into document:
Image variables must be placed on their own line — they cannot be used inline within a paragraph.

​
List variables

A list variable holds an ordered or unordered list of text items (up to 100 items, each max 1,000 characters). Toggle between Unordered and Ordered using the switch at the top of the variable.
List variable with three items and list type toggle
Use + Add Item to add entries and the button to remove individual items. Insert into document:
List variables must be placed on their own line — they cannot be used inline within a paragraph.

​
Table variables

A table variable stores structured data with named columns and rows (max 100 rows × 20 columns, cell content max 1,000 characters). Click Edit Table Data to open the table editor modal.
Table editor modal with editable column headers and data rows
In the modal you can:
  • Edit column headers — click directly on the header cells to rename them
  • Edit cell values — click any cell to change its content
  • Add / remove rows and columns — use the buttons below the table
  • Delete individual rows — click the button on each row
The modal also shows the syntax hint for referencing individual columns: {{TableName.columnName}}. Insert into document:
The column headers in the Markdown must match the column names defined in the variable. The | --- | separator row is required. At render time, the table is populated with the data from the variable.
Table variables use the directive syntax and must be placed on their own line — they cannot be used inline.

​
Inserting variables

Every variable in the panel has a copy button that copies the correct insertion syntax to your clipboard: Paste the copied syntax directly into your document at the desired position. In Markdown mode the syntax remains visible. In Write mode Autype recognizes a known variable and displays it as a visual variable token instead of raw Markdown. You can also drag a variable from the sidebar into either editor. Autype inserts it at the drop position and preserves the required inline or block-level form for that variable type.
You can also type {{ manually in the editor and enter the variable name. The toolbar provides a searchable variable picker, including an option to create a new variable.

​
Variables and bulk generation

The variables you define in the panel serve as the default template values. When you use bulk generation or the API, you can override any variable per document:
  1. Define variables in the sidebar with sensible defaults
  2. Reference them throughout your document with {{variableName}}
  3. Override values per document via CSV upload (bulk) or JSON payload (API)
Any variable not overridden in a bulk job or API call keeps its default value from the panel.
For a full reference on variable syntax — including built-in variables like {{date}}, date formatting, and block-level usage — see the Markup Reference: Variables.