> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://captivatehelp.newbluelive.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://captivatehelp.newbluelive.com/design-and-customize-graphics/chapter-index-4.md).

# Variables & linked data

Define the variables a graphic exposes — the values that live data and operators will fill — and wire multiple data sources into a single layer.

A graphic with variables is one that other systems can drive. This chapter covers two design-time tasks: creating variables in a graphic so its text, scores, or images become live-fillable, and connecting more than one data source to the same layer when no single feed has every value you need.

## What’s in this chapter

* [Create variables in graphics](/design-and-customize-graphics/chapter-index-4/create-variables-in-graphics.md) — use this when you need a graphic to accept live values instead of hardcoded text.
* [Connect data from multiple sources to one graphic](/design-and-customize-graphics/chapter-index-4/connect-data-from-multiple-sources.md) — use this when one Data Controller does not supply every value the layer needs.

## Related

* [Design & customize graphics — section overview](/design-and-customize-graphics/branch-index.md)
* [Play and update graphics](/play-and-update-graphics/branch-index.md) — once variables exist, this is how you fill them at runtime.


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