why aren't framemaker variables global?

Thank you all for the replies. I've realized the error of my ways. Having inherited a number of large manuals, each of which consists of many document files, and each of which has been touched by many hands, variables across the files are a mess. As time allows (and there's precious little of THAT!), I'm building a master variables list, and one day I will apply those variables across all the document files (well, where appropriate).

We use a file we call "whatever-variables.fm" in various ways. 

You could have a "book-variables.fm", "suite-variables.fm", "project-variables.fm" or whatever.  Maintain the variables in these files.

Then to get these variables into all your files do this:

1)  Open the desired variables.fm file.

2)  Open a book file and all the files in the book.

3)  Select (highlight) all the files in your book.

4)  With the book file in focus open the File > Import > Formats dialog. 

5)  Deselect everything in the dialog and then select just "Variable Definitions". 

6)  Make sure your "whatever-variables.fm" file is selected at the top of the dialog in the "Import from Document" field.

7)  Click the "Import" button at the bottom of the dialog.

     Frame goes a little squirrelly for awhile and then your variables import is done. 

I haven't had occasion to test this in awhile but I believe this works with a book of books as well -- or that may have been a dream or something -- like expecting FrameMaker to support DITA KEYREFs as well as oXygen does. 

Using DITA KEYREFs as is done in oXygen would go a long way to making FrameMaker DITA out-of-the-box compatible with other DITA editors. 

What Bob and Barb said...

Unlike MS Word, there's no such thing as an "official" FrameMaker template file or format.

However, as Bob mentioned, you're well-advised to maintain a chapter template (and others, as needed) to practice what I call template-driven design.

You can get a free video and handout on the topic at

Get the template-driven design video and handout - Tech Comm Tools

What Bob said ^^. All formatting and variables are defined in each document independently of the other documents in a book.

I have to go through EACH file and change/create that variable.

But when something changes, i.e., a master page, a paragraph tag, a character tag, a variable definition, update it in one file, and then use File > Import > Formats to update the other chapters in the book. It's very quick, and keeps the formatting consistent.

re: Paragraph and character formats/tags are global (available/applied across all files in a book),

No, they aren't, and some projects count on it.

For a current project, I have all the formats, and variables, defined in a single external file in the book directory, but not part of the book. I selectively import to files and groups of files as needed.