Madcap Flare: How to Create Variables

Are you using variables in your technical documents?

If not, you might be missing out. They save a lot of time and help keep the documents accurate, for example, if you need to change a product name across the entire doc set. If those puppies were hard-coded, you’re in trouble.

We use Madcap Flare. The procedure is more or less the same in FrameMaker or Robohelp.

Creating variables in Madcap Flare

To create a variable:

1. Open the Project Organizer.
2. Click Variables. As it’s V it’s at the end of the list.
3. Double click on General to open the Variable Set Editor.

Here you can add, edit, and delete variables.

Adding variable definitions in Madcap Flare

1. Click Add Variable Definition.
2. In the Edit Format window, enter the specifiers.
3. In Update, select when it will be updated, for example, on file creation, save, or build.

 That work for you?