> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.hiveku.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Keep API Keys and Settings for Your Workflows

> Save an API key or a setting once as a variable, keep secret values masked, and use it in any workflow step

Some workflow steps need a value such as an API key for another service, a webhook address or a price. Instead of typing it into every step, save it once as a **variable** and refer to it by name. Mark a key as secret and its value stays hidden.

This guide adds a made-up key to Northwind's "Thank new wholesale leads" workflow, then deletes it. The workflow stays switched off.

## Open the variables

Open the workflow (click **Workflows** in the left rail, then the workflow's name). Click the gear at the top right, then **Environment Variables**.

![The editor's gear menu with Environment Variables outlined at the bottom, below Manage Credentials](https://mintcdn.com/locusdigital/unRIu0gNDNml8Pw-/images/how-tos/workflows/env-01-menu-closeup.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=unRIu0gNDNml8Pw-\&q=85\&s=319efe8cfe58f405e9d314ba20158905)

The panel lists the variables this workflow can use: its own, plus any shared across your account. Click **Add Variable**.

## Add a variable

* **Variable Name:** capital letters, numbers and underscores, starting with a letter, for example `PRICE_LIST_API_KEY`.
* **Value:** the key or setting itself.
* **Mark as secret:** tick it for a key or password. The value is then hidden behind dots in the list.
* **Description:** what it's for, so your team knows.

![Add Variable: Variable Name PRICE\_LIST\_API\_KEY, upper snake case only; Value shown as dots; Mark as secret ticked and outlined, value will be masked; Description Key for the wholesale price list service (demo); and the Add Variable button](https://mintcdn.com/locusdigital/unRIu0gNDNml8Pw-/images/how-tos/workflows/env-02-add-closeup.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=unRIu0gNDNml8Pw-\&q=85\&s=23c4f85fee79046fdb29589abb849a00)

Click **Add Variable**. A message confirms it, and the variable appears in the list with its value hidden.

![Environment Variables for the workflow Thank new wholesale leads: PRICE\_LIST\_API\_KEY with a lock, its value hidden as dots, the description, and \{\{env.PRICE\_LIST\_API\_KEY}} below it, outlined, with copy, edit and delete icons; the whole row outlined](https://mintcdn.com/locusdigital/unRIu0gNDNml8Pw-/images/how-tos/workflows/env-03-list-closeup.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=unRIu0gNDNml8Pw-\&q=85\&s=4b7a6a3b8f75d3f96a4dd95a5a9134f4)

## Use it in a step

In any step field that takes variables, type the name shown under the variable, for example `{{env.PRICE_LIST_API_KEY}}`. When the workflow runs, the step uses the saved value. The copy icon on the variable's row copies it for you.

To change a value later, click the pencil on its row. For a secret, type the new value; the old one isn't shown. Every step that uses the name picks up the new value.

## Delete a variable

Click the trash icon on its row, then **Delete variable**. Steps that still use it will fail, so take it out of them first. Northwind deleted its made-up key right after this guide.

## Good to know

* **A variable you add here belongs to this workflow.** Variables shared across your account show in every workflow's list.
* **For your website's code** use the site's own keys instead. See [Store an API Key or Setting for Your Site](/how-tos/websites/store-a-secret-key).
* **More:** [Add and Connect Workflow Steps Yourself](/how-tos/workflows/build-a-workflow-by-hand).


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