> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.dogebot.net/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Make a variable > Where to make your own variables, and what every choice means. There are **three places** to make a variable. They all make the same thing, so use whichever is easiest. | Where | Best for | | - | - | | **Database** page, **What do you want to make?** tab | The quickest way. One click makes everything an idea needs. | | **Database** page, **Start from scratch** tab | Making exactly what you want. | | Inside the builder, the `{ }` tab | Making one while you're building a command. | **Way 1: pick a ready idea** The easiest way. **1. Open the Database page** In the menu on the left, under **Data and links**, click **Database**. **2. Open What do you want to make?** Click the **What do you want to make?** tab. You'll see ideas grouped into **Economy**, **Levels**, **Moderation**, **Tickets**, **Games** and **Server**. **3. Press + Add** Find the idea you want, like **Coins** or **Warnings**, and press **+ Add**. DogeBot makes the variables for you, already set up the right way. It says **Added** when it's done. ![The What do you want to make? tab with ready ideas](https://mintcdn.com/doge-bot/0C6-zgXTpDx1QOCe/images/guide/ds-ideas.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=0C6-zgXTpDx1QOCe\&q=85\&s=fcf1a40a32721b559641fdeac7e6fae0) > [!NOTE] > > If you already have a variable with the same name, DogeBot keeps yours and doesn't change it. **Way 2: start from scratch** Click the **Start from scratch** tab on the Database page. You answer four questions, then press **Add Custom Variable**. ![The Start from scratch form on the Database page](https://mintcdn.com/doge-bot/0C6-zgXTpDx1QOCe/images/guide/ds-start-from-scratch.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=0C6-zgXTpDx1QOCe\&q=85\&s=638510a1ec76645ba0cbcc8750456bdb) See [The four questions](#the-four-questions) below for what each one means. **Way 3: in the builder** Handy when you are in the middle of building a command and notice you need a new box. **1. Open the variables tab** On the thin bar on the far left of the builder, click the `{ }` icon. You'll see every variable your bot has. **2. Press Create New Variable** The big gold button at the top. **3. Fill in the boxes** * **Name**: what it's called, like `coins`. * **Reference**: the tag, filled in for you, like `{DBVAR_coins}`. * **Variable Type**: Text, Number, True/False, User, Channel, Collection or Object. * **Default Value**: the starting value. * **Scope**: Server Specific or Global. Save it, and it's ready to use in any block. ![The Create New Variable window in the builder](https://mintcdn.com/doge-bot/0C6-zgXTpDx1QOCe/images/guide/create-variable.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=0C6-zgXTpDx1QOCe\&q=85\&s=0674c0f886977ef4f6a4a819de6ea1f5) > [!TIP] > > Variables made in the builder show up on the Database page too, and the other way round. It's all one list. ## The four questions ### 1. Name Give it a short name that says what it holds, like `coins` or `last-daily`. Use small letters. Spaces turn into dashes by themselves. Under the name you'll see the **tag**, like `{DBVAR_coins}`. That's what you type in blocks to use it. ### 2. What does it hold? This is the **type**. It decides what you can do with the box. You can only do maths on a **Number**, for example. | Type | What goes in it | Example | | - | - | - | | **Text** | Words, or anything else | `Hello!` | | **Number** | Counts, scores, money | `250` | | **True / False** | On or off, like a light switch | `true` | | **User** | A **different value for every member** | Each person's coins, XP or warnings | | **Channel** | A different value for every channel | Message count per channel | | **Collection** | A list of things | A shop, a backpack, a list of bad words | | **Object** | Named keys, like a settings card | `prefix`, `color`, `log-channel` | > [!TIP] > > **The most important one is User.** If every member should have their own amount (coins, XP, warnings, levels), pick **User**. Then pick what each member stores: a number for coins, text for a birthday, and so on. #### Why User matters If you make a **Number** variable called `coins`, there is **one** box. If Sam gets 100 coins, then **everyone** has 100 coins, because they all share one box. If you make a **User** variable called `coins`, **every member gets their own box**. Sam's box can have 250 and Alex's box can have 90. | User variable that stores... | Good for | | - | - | | **Number** | Coins, XP, levels, warnings | | **Text** | A bio, a birthday, a favourite colour | | **True / False** | "Has verified", "has claimed the starter pack" | | **Object** | A full profile with coins, gems and level together. See [Lists and objects](/variables/lists-objects-and-members). | #### Which type should I pick? **1. Does every person need their own value?** Pick **User**, then pick what they store. **2. Will I do maths with it?** Pick **Number**. **3. Is it just on or off?** Pick **True / False**. **4. Is it a list of things?** Pick **Collection**. **5. Does it have many named parts?** Pick **Object**. **6. None of the above?** Pick **Text**. > [!WARNING] > > You cannot do maths on a Text variable, even if it has a number in it. If you want to add and take away, always use **Number**. ### 3. Where is it kept? | Choice | What it means | | - | - | | **Server Specific** | Every Discord server gets its own copy. Your coins in Server A are different from your coins in Server B. This is what you want most of the time. | | **Global** | One value shared everywhere, in every server your bot is in. Good for things like global coins. | Not sure? Pick **Server Specific**. See [Server Specific or Global](/variables/server-specific-or-global). ### 4. Starting value What's in the box before anything is saved. For coins, put `0`. If you leave it empty, the box starts empty. For **Object** variables (and User variables that store an Object) you can add **Starting properties**: the named values every new entry begins with. See [Lists and objects](/variables/lists-objects-and-members). Press **Add Custom Variable** and you're done. ## Example: a coins variable > **Every member starts with 0 coins** > > * **Name:** `coins` > * **Type:** **User**, and each member stores a **Number** > * **Scope:** **Server Specific** > * **Starting value:** `0` > > Now `{DBVAR_coins}` means "the coins of the person using the command". ## How many can I make? Free bots can make **10** custom variables. Premium raises this. You can see how many you have at the top of the Database page. See [Premium and plans](/premium-and-plans). ## Next Now learn how to [use your variable in blocks](/variables/use-your-variables-in-blocks). This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.