# Variables

Variables allow you to store information that can be used throughout a flow.

For example, variables can be used to store information from the the page (e.g. [Get Element Text](/reference/browserflow-commands/extract-data/get-element-text.md)) and pass it into other commands.

### Naming

All Browserflow variables start with the prefix `$`, as in `$selector`. This naming convention allows Browserflow to differentiate between variables and normal text. 

For example, running [Type Text](/reference/browserflow-commands/interact-with-page/type-text.md) with the message `Hi $name` will cause Browserflow to replace `$name` with the value for the variable and leave the "Hi" portion intact.

#### Caveats

Due to this naming convention, extra processing is required if you want to append text directly to a variable.

For example, suppose you have a variable named `$time` that holds a value like `9:30`. If you wanted to show an alert with the message `The time is 9:30AM`, you may try setting the message field to `The time is $timeAM`. However, this wouldn't work because Browserflow would look for a variable named `$timeAM` rather than append "AM" to a variable named `$time`.

In order to get the formatted text, create a new variable using [Run Script](/reference/browserflow-commands/utilities/run-script.md). In this case, you can run it with the code `const $formattedTime = $time + "AM";` and set the alert message to `The time is $formattedTime`.


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