# Save user answer to variable

Saves the text of the last message the person wrote to the bot to a variable.

![Settings panel of the "Save user answer to variable" block](https://support.watbot.org/_media/en/01-chatbots/03-blocks/04-contact-data/_images/set-variable.webp?v=1791781230)

There are two kinds of variables:

- **A local variable** belongs to one contact. Each contact has their own value: a name, a city, a chosen product.
- **A global variable** belongs to the bot and is one for everyone. If one contact changes it, everyone else sees the new value.

How to insert both kinds into messages is in the [Templates](https://support.watbot.org/chatbots/templates) section.

## Settings

- **"To a local variable"** or **"To a global variable"** — where to save the answer.
- **"Variable name"** — the name the answer is saved under. As you type, suggestions with existing variables appear.
- **"Remove variable after sending notification"** — for a local variable only. The variable will be deleted after the notification is sent and will not get into later requests. Such variables are deleted by the "Request" block.

## Outputs

- "Continue" — the bot moves on right after saving.

## Good to know

- If no variable name is given, the block saves nothing.
- If a variable with this name already exists, its value is replaced with the new one.

> [!WARNING]
> Do not save personal answers to a global variable: the next contact will overwrite the value. A global variable suits shared things — for example, a counter of participants.

> [!TIP]
> To save an answer right after a question, a separate block is not required: the settings of the question block have the "Write the answer to the user variable" switch.