Variables are a way to store values that you can map to other fields in your Zaps. This allows you to reuse the same value anywhere you need it. When you update or delete a variable, Zaps will automatically update its value everywhere it is mapped.
You have a large number of sales-related Zaps where you need to insert your company website in fields. Instead of manually typing it in each time, you can create and use a variable.
Available on plans:
Free
Professional
Team
Enterprise
Zap variables
Zap variables are custom variables that you create and re-use within a single Zap. You can identify variables in Zaps, as they appear with the pin icon and are teal.
and are teal.Create a Zap variable
To create a variable in the Zap editor:
- In the bottom left, click Library. A dialog box will appear with the library and open to the Variables section and Zap tab by default.
- In the upper right, click + Create variable. You will be redirected to the Create variable section.
- In the Variable name field, enter a name for your variable.
-
In the Variable type field, select an option from the dropdown menu.
- Text.
- Number.
- Date.
- Email.
- Phone.
- Link.
- In the Variable value field, enter a value for your variable.
- Click Save. You will be redirected back to the Variables section.
Library. A dialog box will appear with the library and open to the Variables section and Zap tab by default.After you create a Zap variable, you can map it to fields in any action step in your Zap.
Limitations
- You cannot use Zap variables in trigger steps.
- Each variable must have a unique variable name. You cannot reuse variable names.
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You can have up to 1000 Zap variables in your Zap.
- If you are on a Team or Enterprise plan, this limit is across all users in your account.
- Variable values are strings, which are simple alphanumeric values and/or special characters. They do not support complex values like line items.
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Zapier recommends that you do not use variables to store or share sensitive information, such as passwords, authorization credentials, or tokens.
- Variables are shared with all users on your account.
- Variables are not encrypted.
- All users in your account can edit a variable, even if they did not create or own it.
- The user who created the variable, account super admins, or the account owner can delete a variable.
Character limits
- Variable names: 128 characters.
- Variable values: 5,000 characters.
- Character counts include alphanumeric values, spaces, and other special characters.
Global variables
Global variables are custom variables that you create and share across all users in your account. You can identify variables in Zaps, as they appear with the globe icon and are blue.
and are blue.Create a global variable
To create a variable in the Zap editor:
- In the bottom left, click Library. A dialog box will appear with the library and open to the Variables section and Zap tab by default.
- To create a new global variable, select the Global tab in the top menu.
- In the upper right, click + Create variable. You will be redirected to the Create variable section.
- In the Variable name field, enter a name for your variable.
-
In the Variable type field, select an option from the dropdown menu.
- Text.
- Number.
- Date.
- Email.
- Phone.
- Link.
- In the Variable value field, enter a value for your variable.
- Click Save. You will be redirected back to the Variables section.
After you create a global variable, you can map it to fields in any action step in your Zap.
Limitations
- You cannot use global variables in trigger steps.
- Each variable must have a unique variable name. You cannot reuse variable names.
-
You can have up to 1000 global variables in your account.
- If you are on a Team or Enterprise plan, this limit is across all users in your account.
- Variable values are strings, which are simple alphanumeric values and/or special characters. They do not support complex values like line items.
-
Zapier recommends that you do not use variables to store or share sensitive information, such as passwords, authorization credentials, or tokens.
- Variables are shared with all users on your account.
- Variables are not encrypted.
- All users in your account can edit a variable, even if they did not create or own it.
- The user who created the variable, account super admins, or the account owner can delete a variable.
Character limits
- Variable names: 128 characters.
- Variable values: 5,000 characters.
- Character counts include alphanumeric values, spaces, and other special characters.
System variables
System variables are predefined variables that exist for all users in your account. Use them to insert timestamps or Zap metadata in your Zaps. You can identify system variables in Zaps, as they appear with the file box icon and are pink. You can find them in the Variables library:
and are pink. You can find them in the Variables library:- In the bottom left, click Library. A dialog box will appear with the library and open to the Variables section and Zap tab by default.
- In the top menu, select the System tab to view all available system variables.
You can map system variables to fields in any action step in your Zap.
Available system variables
| Name | Description |
| Current time |
Date and time of the step run for your Zap’s timezone setting Example: MM/DD/YY hh:mmAM/PM |
| Current time (UNIX) |
Date and time of the step run in UNIX format Example: 1753953840 |
| Current time: UTC (ISO) |
Date and time of the step run in UTC-0:00 Example: YYYY-MM-DDTHH:mm:ss+00:00 |
| Current time: EST (ISO) |
Date and time of the step run in UTC-05:00 Example: YYYY-MM-DDTHH:mm:ss-05:00 |
| Current time: EDT (ISO) |
Date and time of the step run in UTC-04:00 Example: YYYY-MM-DDTHH:mm:ss-04:00 |
| Current time: CST (ISO) |
Date and time of the step run in UTC-06:00 Example: YYYY-MM-DDTHH:mm:ss-06:00 |
| Current time: CDT (ISO) |
Date and time of the step run in UTC-05:00 Example: YYYY-MM-DDTHH:mm:ss-05:00 |
| Current time: MST (ISO) |
Date and time of the step run in UTC-07:00 Example: YYYY-MM-DDTHH:mm:ss-07:00 |
| Current time: MDT (ISO) |
Date and time of the step run in UTC-06:00 Example: YYYY-MM-DDTHH:mm:ss-06:00 |
| Current time: PST (ISO) |
Date and time of the step run in UTC-08:00 Example: YYYY-MM-DDTHH:mm:ss-08:00 |
| Current time: PDT (ISO) |
Date and time of the step run in UTC-07:00 Example: YYYY-MM-DDTHH:mm:ss-07:00 |
| Run ID |
ID of the specific Zap run Example: 550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000 |
| Step ID |
ID of the step where this variable is mapped Example: 987654321 |
| Zap ID |
ID of the Zap where this variable is mapped Example: 123456789 |
You can use a Formatter step to reformat your timestamp. You can also adjust system variable timestamps with date and time modifiers.
Limitations
You cannot use system variables in trigger steps.
Use a variable
To map a variable to a field:
- Click your field to expand the dropdown menu.
- Select the Variables tab.
- Search for and select your variable.
Manage variables
You can manage Zap and Global variables in the Variables library. The library lists all variables in your account. If you have a Team or Enterprise account, every variable is accessible to all members.
To view your Variables library:
- Go to the Zap editor.
- In the bottom left, click Library. A dialog box will appear with the Variables section open.
- Select the Zap or Global tab to view and manage your variables.
Variables are listed in chronological order of when you created or last updated them, with newest on top. If you are on a Team or Enterprise plan, variables you own appear before variables owned by other users in your account. You can manage each variable by clicking its settings icon to open the dropdown menu. Then select an option:
to open the dropdown menu. Then select an option:- Edit: redirects you to the Edit variable section where you can change the variable name, type, or value.
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Duplicate: duplicates the variable. You will see a
(1)appended after the name to indicate it is a copy.
- Transfer: allows you to transfer ownership of the variable to another member of your Team or Enterprise account. It only appears if you are the owner, an account super admin, or the account owner.
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Delete: deletes the variable. Anywhere it was mapped, your Zap will replace it with
Undefined variable X, where "X" is the ID of the deleted variable. Your Zap will return a null value when it runs.
Next steps
Variables are available for anyone in your account to use by mapping it to a field in their Zap.