# Numeric variable syntax

Tip: | Embedded variables are case sensitive, and must be in the proper format and syntax to work. If you make a mistake, your variable will be treated as a piece of text. Therefore, do not attempt to edit embedded variables manually. Use the Insert Variable and Edit variable dialog boxes to avoid problems.

Numeric embedded variables use this format:

`/*LN:# Tag_name Fill_character DP:#*/`

The syntax is:

- an opening escape sequence ‘/*’
- followed by an optional letter L (for Literal) preventing a tag read for the variable, (if the Literal number option is chosen in the Numeric Variable dialog box)
- followed by the letter 'N'
- followed by a colon ':'
- followed by a numeric length field
- followed by a space character
- followed by the tag name, tag placeholder (#1, #2, etc.)
- followed by a space character
- followed by a word describing the left fill property
- followed by a space character
- followed by the letters ‘DP:’
- followed by the number of decimal places
- followed by a closing escape sequence '*/'

For example, to show the current value of an analog tag called Oven_temp, with 3 digits, two decimal places, and no fill character, you would type:

`/*N:6 Oven_temp NOFILL DP:2*/`

On the display during development, you would see as many # characters as digits, with the decimal place as specified:

`###.##`

At run time, you would see the value of the tag displayed in the format specified:

`183.00`

## See also

About embedded variables

Insert a numeric variable