What is the "scope" of FM Variables?

Question

Basic question about Variables .... It seems that thwe values of Variables are set per file -- am I wrong?

So, if the footer of every page of every file in the Book has a variable called <MyBookName>, and certain chapters are used in multiple books with different names, and today's variant of the book is called BookA, do I have to import the value of <MyBookName> into every file, or can I just set "BookA" somewhere and press a button to update and print the book? I prefer not to import "BookA" into every file because ten minutes later, I'm going to generate BookB with a different mix of chapters, and I prefer that the value "BookA" not be inserted into all those chapters. Am I missing something about how Variables are supposed to work?

Bob_Niland · Accepted Answer

Variables are per .fm file.We define all the book-specific variables in the first file of the book (cover) and bulk import them into the component files.In Book menu, have defining var master file open.Select all other component files (which can be open or not).You can select the next file then shift_select the last.File > Import > FormatsImport from Document: [ <name of defining file> ][ Deselect All ] (if needed) Variable Definitions[ Import ]For extra credit, white space permitting, you can display all the key variables on the first page of the defining file, as text hidden for publication by Color Views or Condition Codes. Makes them easier to edit and check for errors.

FieryPantone · Answer

By way of additional info in case you ever need it, here's an example of well-behaved variables: we have a standard "Legal disclaimer" text that I have implemented as a text insert. The source file for the insert uses the variable $product. Referencing the disclaimer in a file where $product is defined as Aardvark pulls Aardvark into the disclaimer; referencing the disclaimer in a file where $product is defined as Zeugma pulls Zeugma into the disclaimer. Very satisfying :-}

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