> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.zigpoll.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.zigpoll.com/questions/template-variables.md).

# Template Variables

Make your questions dynamic using template variables

Template variables put dynamic text into a question: a customer's name, a value from your site, or an answer they gave earlier in the same survey. Write them inside double curly braces, like `{{name}}`. Zigpoll uses [Handlebars](https://handlebarsjs.com) syntax, so conditionals and loops work too.

Variables work in a question's title, subtitle, copy, disclaimer, scale labels, placeholders, form field labels, and **Actions** button titles and links. They don't work in answer options.

### Where the values come from

A variable can be any of these, in order of priority:

1. **`window.Zigpoll.templateVariables`** set by JavaScript on your page.
2. **An earlier answer in the same survey**, by that question's handle.
3. **Metadata**, such as values you pass in or that Zigpoll records (for example `utm_source`).

### Use a value from your page

For example, say you want to greet your customer by name in your survey:

> Welcome Jason, do you have a minute to fill out our survey?

**1.** Add a template variable to your page with JavaScript. In this example it's called **name**, and PHP fills it in from a user object. Replace this with whatever fits how your website is built.

```javascript
// Add this code right below your Zigpoll embed code.
window.Zigpoll.templateVariables = {
      name: <?php echo $user.name ?>
}
```

**2.** Use the **name** variable in your question. In this example it goes in the question's copy, so enter something like this in the copy box:

```javascript
Hey, {{#if name}}{{name}}{{else}}Mysterious Person{{/if}} do you have a minute to fill out our survey?
```

The question now shows the customer's name if it exists, or "Mysterious Person" if it doesn't.

You can also use the shorter `print` helper for a fallback: `Hey {{print name "there"}}!`

### Pipe an earlier answer into a later question

Each question has a **handle**. By default it is the question's title. To pipe an answer, give the earlier question a short handle with no spaces:

1. Open the earlier question, for example *Which product did you buy?*
2. Turn on **Custom Handle** and set the **Handle** to `product`.
3. Click **Update Question**.
4. In a later question, write `How would you rate the {{product}}?`

A customer who picked *Travel Mug* sees *How would you rate the Travel Mug?* For a Multiple Choice question, the selected answers are joined with commas. The value updates as soon as the earlier question is answered.

{% hint style="info" %}
Use letters, numbers and underscores in handles you pipe. A handle with spaces or punctuation, like a full question title, doesn't work as `{{handle}}`.
{% endhint %}

### Why do I see `{{ }}` instead of a value?

* **A variable with no value renders as blank, not as braces.** Use `{{#if}}` or `{{print name "fallback"}}` to show something instead.
* **Literal braces mean the template couldn't be read.** Common causes are a typo such as a missing closing brace, quotes or spaces inside the braces (`{{ "product" }}`), or a handle with spaces. Fix the syntax and click **Update Question**.
* **The field doesn't support variables.** Answer options show text exactly as written.
* **The value is set too late.** Set `window.Zigpoll.templateVariables` right after your embed code, before the survey loads.


---

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