# Variables (/workflows/blocks/variables)





The **Variables block** updates variables created in the workflow's **Variables** panel. Read their current values with `<variable.name>`. Each run starts from the panel's initial values.

<BlockPreview type="variables" />

## Update a counter [#update-a-counter]

Create a number variable `retryCount` with initial value `0`. In the retry pattern below, failed requests increment it until the While condition becomes false; a successful request sets it to `3` to end retries.

Calculate the next value in a Function block named **Increment**:

```javascript
return <variable.retryCount> + 1;
```

Then select `retryCount` in a Variables block and set its value to `<increment.result>`.

<WorkflowPreview workflow="VARIABLES_RETRY_WORKFLOW" height="440" />

## Configuration [#configuration]

**Variable Assignments** contains the variables to update and their new values. Select an existing variable, then enter a literal value or an earlier output, such as `<api.data.email>`.

The block converts each value to the selected variable's type. It does not evaluate JavaScript arithmetic. Use a Function for calculations, then assign its result.

Assignments are written in order, but all references are resolved before the assignments run. A later row in the same block does not read a value just written by an earlier row.

## Outputs and scope [#outputs-and-scope]

Read variables from any block with `<variable.name>`, such as `<variable.retryCount>`. Assigned values are also available on the Variables block, for example `<update.retryCount>` for a block named **Update**.

Variables last for one execution. Multiple Variables blocks share the workflow's variable namespace, and a later assignment can overwrite an earlier value. Parallel branches share that namespace too; avoid concurrent writes to the same variable.

References ignore case, whitespace, and periods. Avoid names that normalize to the same value, such as `retryCount` and `Retry Count`.

## Store configuration for later steps [#store-configuration-for-later-steps]

<WorkflowPreview workflow="VARIABLES_CONFIG_WORKFLOW" />

Create `userId` and `userTier` variables in the Variables panel. Assign their values from the API response once, then read them later with `<variable.userTier>`.

## Related docs [#related-docs]

* [Workflow variables](/workflows/variables)
* [Function](/workflows/blocks/function)
* [Loop](/workflows/blocks/loop)