In the shortcut editor, click a variable token.
The variable editor appears. The properties offered by the specific content type are listed below the variable’s title and content type. This list represents all of the available metadata associated with your content, allowing you to choose which property to use as the output of the variable.
For example, an Image variable offers properties such as Width, Height, Date Taken, Location, and Camera Make. Each content type offers its own set of properties.
Each content type has a default property that’s automatically extracted if nothing else is chosen.
Click a property in the list.
The variable token is updated to indicate your preference.
Tip: You can manually grab properties from any action’s output by using the Get Details actions, such as Get Details of Safari Webpage or Get Details of Images. Browsing these actions is also a helpful way to explore which details you can extract for each content type.
In the Shortcuts app Reveal.
The shortcut editor scrolls up and highlights the source action of the variable.
Click to return to the shortcut editor or click Go Back to return to the variable editor.
Once you’ve grasped how to add, place, and adjust variables, you’ll begin to see how variables make your shortcuts much more dynamic. You can reuse content multiple times, easily extract particular details from the content, and place that content anywhere in your shortcut.
Variables let you make shortcuts that are capable of adapting to a variety of situations, adjusting content on the fly while still yielding the results you want.
Tip: If you’re just getting started with variables, it may be helpful to experiment with an existing shortcut that includes variables. Add a shortcut from the Gallery, then reorder the actions or add new variables to see how the shortcut is affected.