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

# Variables in Flows

> Understand how variables work in flows.

Variables can be used to pass data between blocks.

**Inputs** are variables that are passed to the flow when it is run.

***

A block can access:

* input variables
* outputs from previous blocks
* variables defined in code blocks

<Tip>
  Blocks that return `object` type outputs will also have a stringified version
  of the block output.

  For example, if a block is called `search` and returns an object, there will
  also be a variable called `search_str` which is a stringified version of the
  object.
</Tip>

### Accessing Variables

In most blocks / fields, variables can be accessed using curly braces `{{var_name}}`.

In code blocks, variables can be accessed directly using `var_name` without curly braces.

### View Available Variables

To view available variables, click on the `Variables` button at the bottom left of the notebook.

A list of accessible variables will be displayed in a drawer.

<img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/athinaai/images/flows/variables-panel.png" alt="Variables Drawer" />