> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.chief.bot/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Using # variable fields in a prompt

> Variable fields turn a prompt into a fill-in-the-blank template.

Variable fields turn a prompt into a fill-in-the-blank template. Instead of rewriting the same prompt with different details each time, you build it once with **#** variable fields and just fill in the blanks before sending.

## Where variable fields come from

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/chief-2d405d1a/6c2N7JENQEFQ6YbH/images/help/promptbar-variable-fields.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=6c2N7JENQEFQ6YbH&q=85&s=256b690d16c67e137d35a5e26c949155" alt="Chief: Using # variable fields in a prompt — Where variable fields come from" width="1790" height="590" data-path="images/help/promptbar-variable-fields.png" />
</Frame>

Variable fields live in **prompt templates** — the [saved prompts](/help/prompts-the-launchpad/saving-your-own-prompt-templates) and [launchpad prompts](/help/prompts-the-launchpad/what-is-the-launchpad) you open from your Library. When you open a template that has variables, each one appears in the prompt bar as an editable field waiting for your input.

<Note>
  💡 **Good to know:** You add variable fields when you *create* a prompt template in the [Prompt Library editor](/help/prompts-the-launchpad/searching-prompts-the-prompt-library) (type **#** there to add one). In a normal chat you fill them in rather than create them.
</Note>

## Fill in a template's variable fields

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/chief-2d405d1a/6c2N7JENQEFQ6YbH/images/help/promptbar-variable-dropdown.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=6c2N7JENQEFQ6YbH&q=85&s=8975fa45d5bee795cb21375074bc8d04" alt="Chief: Using # variable fields in a prompt — Fill in a template's variable fields" width="1020" height="470" data-path="images/help/promptbar-variable-dropdown.png" />
</Frame>

1. Open a saved or launchpad prompt that contains variables. Its text appears in the prompt bar with one editable field per variable.
2. Click a text or paragraph field and type your value.
3. For a dropdown field, click it and choose one of the listed options (or type your own where allowed).
4. For a file field, click it to pick a file from your [Library](/help/your-knowledge-library/what-is-the-library), or paste content directly.
5. For an audio field, record your input when prompted.
6. When every required field is filled, send the prompt as usual.

## The field types you'll see

* **Text Input** — a single-line value.
* **Paragraph Input** — a multi-line value for longer input.
* **File Picker** — select a file from your assets, or paste data in.
* **Dropdown** — choose from predefined options.
* **Record Audio** — [capture spoken input](/help/your-knowledge-library/recording-audio-directly-into-chief) for that field.

## FAQ

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Can I type # in a normal chat to add a field?">
    The **#** shortcut to add variable fields lives in the Prompt Library editor, where you build templates. In a chat you fill in the fields a template already defines.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="It won't let me send the prompt.">
    A required field is probably still empty. Fields marked required must have a value; fill them in (or remove the field in the template editor and mark it optional) before sending.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I don't want to fill in an optional field.">
    Optional fields can be left blank or removed from the prompt. Use the field's remove control to drop it from this run.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>