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Enterprise Open source

Variables types

Grafana uses several types of variables.

Variable typeDescription
QueryQuery-generated list of values such as metric names, server names, sensor IDs, data centers, and so on. Add a query variable.
CustomDefine the variable options manually using a comma-separated list. Add a custom variable.
Text boxDisplay a free text input field with an optional default value. Add a text box variable.
ConstantDefine a hidden constant. Add a constant variable.
Data sourceQuickly change the data source for an entire dashboard. Add a data source variable.
IntervalInterval variables represent time spans. Add an interval variable.
Ad hoc filtersKey/value filters that are automatically added to all metric queries for a data source (InfluxDB, Prometheus, and Elasticsearch only). Add ad hoc filters.
Global variablesBuilt-in variables that can be used in expressions in the query editor. Refer to Global variables.
Chained variablesVariable queries can contain other variables. Refer to Chained variables.