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

# Mage block variables

> Use pipeline-specific variables scoped to an individual block.

<Note>Requires version `0.9.23` or greater.</Note>

In addition to the global runtime variables that can be used by any block in
a pipeline, there are also variables scoped at the block-level, meaning
they are accessible in a specific block but not other blocks in the same pipeline.
Block variables are not accessible by other pipelines that use the same block.

## Using block variables

Block variables can be accessed via the `kwargs` parameter in your block function.
The variables are stored in a block's configuration, which is accessible through
`kwargs['configuration']`.

```python theme={"system"}
@data_exporter
def export_data(*args, **kwargs):
    demo_block_var = kwargs['configuration'].get('demo_block_var')

```

### Supported block types

Block variables are currently only supported for Python blocks with the
following block types:

1. `data_loader`
2. `transformer`
3. `data_exporter`
4. `custom`
5. `sensor`

## Creating block variables

### In Mage UI

You can create new block variables from the Mage UI through the "Block settings" tab
in the Sidekick of the Pipeline Editor page. The block settings can also be quickly accessed
by clicking the settings icon in a block's header.

In the "Block variables" section of the block settings, click the `+ New` button, enter
the variable's name and value in the input fields and then press `Enter` or `Return` on
your keyboard while still focused on one of the input fields (this step can be repeated
multiple times).

This will add the variable(s), but not save it. You need to also click the blue
`Update block settings` button below the "Block variables" section in order to save
and persist these new variables. You can also edit/delete existing block variables by
hovering over a variable and clicking the edit/trash icons. You can press the `Escape`
key to exit a variable's edit mode.

### In code

You can also create or edit block variables by going to a pipeline's `metadata.yaml` file
(located in the `pipelines/[pipeline_uuid]` directory) and adding them to a block's
`configuration` property.

```yaml theme={"system"}
blocks:
- all_upstream_blocks_executed: true
  color: null
  configuration:
    demo_block_var: block_var_value
    block_var2: val2
    block_var3: val3
  downstream_blocks: []
  executor_config: null
  executor_type: local_python
  has_callback: false
  language: python
  name: billowing snow
  retry_config: {}
  status: updated
  timeout: '60'
  type: data_exporter
  upstream_blocks:
  - muddy_waterfall
  uuid: billowing_snow
```