Variable Types in Disclosure Studio

Review the Variable Usage Summary to see each variable type and its purpose at a glance. 

General Information about Variables

• Variables can be inserted into text blocks (locked fields or within a content or note page type), header text blocks, manual tables and charts within a report. 
• The type of variable that can be inserted will depend on the type of content. 
• To insert a variable, look for the Insert Variable option within a text block or header. Within a manual table or chart look for a link icon. 
• When a variable is inserted into text, it will be in a purple box with purple text. Double click on the variable to make edits. It can be treated just like text and can be deleted using the backspace or delete key and copy and pasted within the report using Ctrl + C to copy and Ctrl + V to paste.  

There are six different types of variables, each serving a specific purpose. Select a section below to navigate directly to it:

Reference Report Pages

1. Note Variable
2. Page Reference

Reference MDFM Financial Data

3. Number Variable (Linked Number)
4. MDFM Expression (Calculated Variable)

Reference Text, Images and Table Values

5. Report Variable
6. Table Cell

Reference Report Pages

Note Variable

Reference additional context in a note with a Note Variable. Readers will be able to click the note variable and be taken directly to the section of the report to learn more. 

The variables are dynamic in that if the note number changes, the variable will change as needed keeping your report always up-to-date. 

These variables can be used in Text Blocks on a content or note page, as part of the header or footer of a manual table and footnotes within text or a manual table.

When you copy your report for the next fiscal year, the note variables will remain connected to the existing notes. You should only need to create a new note variable if you create a new note. 

Page Reference

Reference another section of a report with a Page Variable. Readers will be able to click the Page variable and be taken directly to the section of the report to learn more. 

The variables are dynamic in that if the page number changes, the variable will change as needed keeping your report always up-to-date. 

These variables can be used in Text Blocks on a content or note page or as part of the header or footer of a manual table. 

When you copy your report for the next fiscal year, the page variables will remain connected to the existing sections. You should only need to create a new page variable if you create new blocks within a section or a new report section. 

MDFM Financial Data Reference

Number Variable (Linked Number)

Reference a specific number from an MDFM pivot table to provide a direct connection to the financial data ensuring that if the data changes, the reference stays up-to-date. 

These variables can be used in text and header blocks and charts or manual tables and  footnotes within text or a manual table. 

When you roll forward a report for the next fiscal year, you will also roll forward the financial data which then stays connected to the number variables in your report. 

MDFM Expression (Calculated Variable)

Calculated variables (MDFM Expression) help to not only connect to the financial data of the MDFM, but perform calculations to help tell the financial story. Automate the ACFR’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A), fund balances, percentage changes or other financial calculations. 

These variables can be used in Text Blocks on a content or note page, as part of the header or footer of a manual table and footnotes within text or a manual table. 

When you roll forward a report for the next fiscal year, you will also roll forward the financial data which then stays connected to the number variables in your report. 

Text and Image Reference

Report Variable

Report variables reference common text and images within text and header blocks and charts or manual tables. 

They can be used in text and header blocks and charts or manual tables and footnotes within text or a manual table. 

It provides a centralized location in a report’s setting to easily update recurring content or images across the entire report year over year.

Table Cell Variable

The table cell variable dynamically references numeric values from manual tables in your report directly within narrative text. When the table value updates, every place in the document that references it updates automatically, ensuring accuracy and consistency across your financial documentation. 

These variables can be used in Text Blocks on a content or note page, as part of the header or footer of a manual table and footnotes within text or a manual table. 

When you copy your report for the next fiscal year, the table cell variables will remain connected to the existing tables. You should only need to create a new table cell variable if you add new data to a table or create a new table. 

Variable Usage Summary