> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.pads4.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Viewer Variables and dynamic filtering

> Use Viewer Variables in PADS4 CTRL Center to dynamically filter content per display, like room numbers, so one presentation serves many viewers.

Viewer Variables, also known as **Dynamic Filtering**, allow you to create **smart and efficient digital signage content**. Instead of designing multiple presentations for different viewers, you can use Viewer Variables to automatically adapt content based on predefined values.

***

## **Meeting Room Example**

Imagine managing 50 meeting room door signs in your digital signage network. Each sign displays a unique room number. Traditionally, you would need 50 separate presentations.

With Viewer Variables, you design one presentation and let the system dynamically insert the correct room number for each display.

***

## **Creating a Viewer Variable**

### **Steps:**

1. Open PADS4 CTRL Center.
2. Go to the **Viewers** menu category.
3. Select **Variables** from the section that opens.
4. Create a new Viewer Variable:
   * Enter a name, for example, **MeetingRoomName**.
   * Click **Create** to add the variable.
5. Now, each **Viewer** can have its own unique value for **MeetingRoomName**.

***

## **Designing a Presentation with Viewer Variables**

1. Create a text field in PADS4 Designer.
2. Insert the Viewer Variable as **#MeetingRoomName#**.
3. Schedule the presentation to your Viewers.

Each Viewer will display its assigned **Meeting Room Name** without needing separate presentations.

***

## **Dynamic Content Adaptation**

Viewer Variables are not limited to room numbers. You can use them for:

* Location-based data
* Directional signs
* IP addresses
* Opening hours
* Personalized messages

### **Example: SQL Integration**

If you are fetching data from a database, you can insert Viewer Variables into SQL queries:

```sql theme={null}
SELECT * FROM Table WHERE [field1] = #MeetingRoomName#
```

This ensures that the query dynamically filters data based on the Viewer Variable.

***

## **Where Can Viewer Variables Be Used?**

* Text fields in presentations
* SQL queries in data providers
* Playlist items for dynamic content rotation

Viewer Variables **cannot** be used in password fields.

***

## **How Viewer Variables Work**

PADS4 automatically scans all text for Viewer Variables (formatted as `#VariableName#`) and replaces them with the assigned values.

If a **meeting room name** changes, simply update the value in **Viewer Variables**—there is no need to modify the presentation.

***

## **Conclusion**

Viewer Variables simplify content management by allowing dynamic customization across multiple Viewers. This ensures a scalable, efficient, and flexible digital signage system with minimal manual updates.