# Copying Variables
**URL:** https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/t/copying-variables/4005
**Category:** Feature Requests
**Created:** [January 22, 2009, 11:59am UTC](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/t/copying-variables/4005 "2009-01-22T11:59:59Z")
**Posts on this page:** 3
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@jonrobertson](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/u/jonrobertson)
#### Post date: [January 22, 2009, 11:59am UTC](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/t/copying-variables/4005/1 "2009-01-22T11:59:59Z")
The Variables Editor allows me to copy a variable and paste it, which I suppose is mainly for copying variables between projects. It is nice, but I wanted to use this to duplicate variables. For example, to create another variable with nearly identical "properties" but a different name. I can't paste a variable if that variable already exists with the same name.
The workaround is to rename the original variable, paste, then go back to the renamed variable and make any desired changes.
A much better solution would be to prompt the user (include both OK & Cancel buttons), for a new variable name instead of the current "A variable named: - already exists" dialog.
Thanks!
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### Author:  [@Vincent](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/u/Vincent)
#### Post date: [January 27, 2009, 3:20am UTC](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/t/copying-variables/4005/2 "2009-01-27T03:20:11Z")
I have implemented a simple work around for the next build, finalbuilder will append a number after the copy if the variable already exists. Try this with the next build… if that is too unintuitive then we’ll look at adding the prompt.
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### Author:  [@Vincent](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/u/Vincent)
#### Post date: [January 27, 2009, 6:58am UTC](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/t/copying-variables/4005/3 "2009-01-27T06:58:41Z")
Hi Jon
Here’s a build with the fix :
[https://www.finalbuilder.com/downloads/finalbuilder/620/FB620\_1278.exe](https://www.finalbuilder.com/downloads/finalbuilder/620/FB620_1278.exe)