Text Variables

Store important data (and dynamically keep it updated) all within your rundown.

Text Variables allow you to use the $ key within a cell and enter a variable to store important information that may change over time.

This can be super helpful for…

• Video durations: Track asset lengths and keep them updated when new edits come in.
• Call times: Crew and talent arrival times used across pre-show notes, standby cues, and production schedules that often shift.
• Guest/Sponsor names and pronunciations: Interview subject details used across intro segments, lower thirds, question blocks, and outro credits.
• Venue or location names: Shooting locations mentioned in multiple segments, used in graphics, and referenced in logistics notes.

Adding new Text Variables

Within any cell on your rundown, press the $ key on your keyboard and this will open the Text Variables list. Then click on the Create $text-variables button to create a new one.

Alternatively you can access the Text Variables modal by using the rundown menu.

Within the Text Variables modal you can add, remove and update existing values.

Add a new Text Variable by giving it the following:

• variable-key: E.g. crew-lunch-location This is a key by which you will refer to the variable. It can only contain lowercase letters, numbers, and hyphens.
• Value: This is the current value of the Text Variable. You can edit this at any time later and those changes will sync to all viewers of the rundown.

Using a Text Variable

Within a rundown cell, use the $ key to bring up the Text Variables list - this will show all of your Text Variables as well as their current value.

Click on any of the options within the list to add it to your cell.

Now you - or any rundown viewer - can see the Text Variable value right within the cell. If the variable is edited later, the new value will show up in the same place.

Replacing a Text Variable within a cell

Clicking on an existing Text Variable within any cell will re-open the Text Variables list and allow you to switch to another variable instead.

Updating the value of a Text Variable

You can always open the Text Variables modal and change the value of a Text Variable - that change will also be synced to all viewers of the rundown.

Updating over the Public API

Text Variables can be updated (as well as created and deleted) via our API.

Via the API you can:

• Get all: A list of all Text Variables in your rundown.
• Get one: A specific Text Variable based on it’s internal key.
• Bulk update: Bulk update existing Text Variable.
• Create and Delete: Add new Text Variables or delete existing ones.

For a full list of supported API calls, check out our API documentation.