# Dynamic variables ## Introduction As you work with shapes in process flows, you'll be used to updating shape settings with required values. Mostly, you'll define static values - for example, selecting or entering a data item to be used as a de-dupe key, entering a key name for an add to cache shape - there are dozens of settings that you might configure when building process flows. However, there may be times where the value of a field can't be defined as a static value because it needs to be resolved dynamically, based on data received from the incoming payload and/or defined for the process flow as a whole. This can be achieved using: * [Payload variables](https://doc.wearepatchworks.com/product-documentation/process-flows/building-process-flows/dynamic-variables/payload-variables) * [Metadata variables](https://doc.wearepatchworks.com/product-documentation/process-flows/building-process-flows/dynamic-variables/metadata-variables) * [Flow variables](https://doc.wearepatchworks.com/product-documentation/process-flows/building-process-flows/dynamic-variables/flow-variables) ## Where can dynamic variables be used? Lots of our process flow shapes include settings where you can enter a static value, or provide a variable/parameter to be resolved dynamically. Please refer to our [shapes documentation](https://doc.wearepatchworks.com/product-documentation/process-flows/building-process-flows/process-flow-shapes) for specific guidance for each shape. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://doc.wearepatchworks.com/product-documentation/process-flows/building-process-flows/dynamic-variables.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.