Variables collect and store data in Storyline 3. Variable references let you display that information anywhere in your course.

For example, let's say you ask learners for their names at the beginning of a course. (See Working with Data-Entry Fields.) You can then use variable references to personalize content with their names throughout the rest of the course. Just add a variable reference to any text box, caption, shape, or button.

Here's how to use variable references in Storyline:

  1. Variable references can be added to any text-based object, including text boxes, captions, shapes, and buttons. Add a new object to hold the variable reference or select an existing object.
  2. Go to the Insert tab on the ribbon and click Reference.
  3. The References window will appear, showing a list of variables in your project. Select the variable you want to reference and click OK.

In Storyline, variable references appear as the name of the variable with a percent sign (%) before and after it. When you preview or publish, variable references will be replaced with the actual values of the variables they represent.