---
title: Create a variable
description: Create dashboard variables in the Data Explorer, from the Organization page, or import a variable.
url: https://docs.influxdata.com/influxdb/cloud/visualize-data/variables/create-variable/
estimated_tokens: 1153
product: InfluxDB Cloud (TSM)
version: cloud
---

# Create a variable

Create dashboard variables in the Data Explorer, from the Settings section, or import a variable. **Variable names must be unique.**

There are multiple variable types that provide different means of populating your list of variable values. *For information about variable types, see [Variable types](/influxdb/cloud/visualize-data/variables/variable-types/).*

##### Variable name restrictions

Variable names must begin with a letter or underscore (`_`).

The following names cannot be used as dashboard variables because they are reserved keywords in Flux: `and`, `import`, `not`, `return`, `option`, `test`, `empty`, `in`, `or`, `package`, and `builtin`.

## Create a variable in the Data Explorer

InfluxData recommends using the Data Explorer to create [Query dashboard variables](/influxdb/cloud/visualize-data/variables/variable-types/#query). The [Table visualization type](/influxdb/cloud/visualize-data/visualization-types/table/) and **View Raw Data** option to provide human-readable query results.

1. Click the **Data Explorer** icon in the sidebar.
    
    Data Explorer
    
2. Use the **Query Builder** or **Script Editor** to build a query.
    
3. Use the [Table visualization type](/influxdb/cloud/visualize-data/visualization-types/table/) or enable the **View Raw Data** option to view human-readable query results.
    
4. Click **Save As** in the upper right.
    
5. In the window that appears, select **Variable**.
    
6. Enter a name for your variable in the **Name** field.
    
7. Click **Create**.
    

*For information about common Query variables, see [Common variable queries](/influxdb/cloud/visualize-data/variables/common-variables/).*

1. Click the **Settings** icon in the navigation bar.
    
    Settings
    
2. Select the **Variables** tab.
    
3. Click the **Create Variable** drop-down menu and select **New Variable**.
    
4. In the window that appears:
    
    -   Enter a name for your variable.
    -   Select your variable type. For details on each type, see [Variable types](/influxdb/v2/visualize-data/variables/variable-types/).
    -   Enter the appropriate variable information based on the variable type.
5. Click **Create Variable**.
    

## Import a variable

InfluxDB lets you import variables exported from InfluxDB in JSON format.

1. Click the **Settings** icon in the navigation bar.
    
    Settings
    
2. Select the **Variables** tab.
    
3. Click the **Create Variable** drop-down menu and select **Import Variable**.
    
4. In the window that appears:
    
    -   Select **Upload File** to drag and drop or select a file.
    -   Select **Paste JSON** to paste in JSON.
5. Click **Import JSON as Variable**.
    

[variables](/influxdb/cloud/tags/variables/)