Variables types
Grafana uses several types of variables.
| Variable type | Description |
|---|---|
| Query | Query-generated list of values such as metric names, server names, sensor IDs, data centers, and so on. Add a query variable. |
| Custom | Define the variable options manually using a comma-separated list. Add a custom variable. |
| Text box | Display a free text input field with an optional default value. Add a text box variable. |
| Constant | Define a hidden constant. Add a constant variable. |
| Data source | Quickly change the data source for an entire dashboard. Add a data source variable. |
| Interval | Interval variables represent time spans. Add an interval variable. |
| Ad hoc filters | Key/value filters that are automatically added to all metric queries for a data source (InfluxDB, Prometheus, and Elasticsearch only). Add ad hoc filters. |
| Global variables | Built-in variables that can be used in expressions in the query editor. Refer to Global variables. |
| Chained variables | Variable queries can contain other variables. Refer to Chained variables. |