# How to use variables without expanding?

**URL:** https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/t/how-to-use-variables-without-expanding/640
**Category:** Discussion
**Created:** [November 2, 2007, 2:28am UTC](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/t/how-to-use-variables-without-expanding/640 "2007-11-02T02:28:22Z")
**Posts on this page:** 2
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![deleted\_user](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/user_avatar/www.finalbuilder.com/deleted_user/32/937_2.png) [@deleted\_user](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/u/deleted_user)
#### Post date: [November 2, 2007, 2:28am UTC](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/t/how-to-use-variables-without-expanding/640/1 "2007-11-02T02:28:22Z")

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I want add a directory Delphi Library search path, the problem is FB5 expands the variables.

See the example for details.

This was done with FB 5.5.0.340

How can I prevent FB5 expanding the variables?

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### Author: ![paulsamways](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/e8c25b/32.png) [@paulsamways](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/u/paulsamways)
#### Post date: [November 5, 2007, 12:04pm UTC](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/t/how-to-use-variables-without-expanding/640/2 "2007-11-05T12:04:30Z")

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Hi Mart,   
  
 On the “String Concatenation” action you will need to turn off the “Expand variable references” option on the “Input and Output” tab. (This option was only recently added, you will need to download the latest test build: [https://www.finalbuilder.com/downloads/finalbuilder/550/FB550\_488.exe](https://www.finalbuilder.com/downloads/finalbuilder/550/FB550_488.exe)) This will stop FinalBuilder expanding the variables within that variable, you will also need to use %!SearchPath% as the new value in the set registry value action for the same reason.   
  
 Regards,   
 Paul.