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title = "Add variables"
weight = 140
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# Variables types

Grafana uses several types of variables.

| Variable type     | Description                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| :---------------- | :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Query             | Query-generated list of values such as metric names, server names, sensor IDs, data centers, and so on. [Add a query variable]({{< relref "add-query-variable.md" >}}).                              |
| Custom            | Define the variable options manually using a comma-separated list. [Add a custom variable]({{< relref "add-custom-variable.md" >}}).                                                                 |
| Text box          | Display a free text input field with an optional default value. [Add a text box variable]({{< relref "add-text-box-variable.md" >}}).                                                                |
| Constant          | Define a hidden constant. [Add a constant variable]({{< relref "add-constant-variable.md" >}}).                                                                                                      |
| Data source       | Quickly change the data source for an entire dashboard. [Add a data source variable]({{< relref "add-data-source-variable.md" >}}).                                                                  |
| Interval          | Interval variables represent time spans. [Add an interval variable]({{< relref "add-interval-variable.md" >}}).                                                                                      |
| Ad hoc filters    | Key/value filters that are automatically added to all metric queries for a data source (InfluxDB, Prometheus, and Elasticsearch only). [Add ad hoc filters]({{< relref "add-ad-hoc-filters.md" >}}). |
| Global variables  | Built-in variables that can be used in expressions in the query editor. Refer to [Global variables]({{< relref "global-variables" >}}).                                                              |
| Chained variables | Variable queries can contain other variables. Refer to [Chained variables]({{< relref "chained-variables.md" >}}).                                                                                   |
