# Global Variables

*Global Variables* enables users to configure Exivity system-wide variables which can be used in any Extractor or Transformer script. This in turn allows users to decouple instance specific Transformer or Extractor variables (i.e. hostnames, usernames, passwords, import paths, etc.) from their respective scripts. A typical use case would be to use an identical Extractor in both a test and production environment, while the data source consists of a different hostname, username and password.

{% hint style="warning" %}
A Global Variable is required to be unique within the entire Exivity instance
{% endhint %}

### Creating a Default environment

In order to create a *Global Variable*, first browse to the *Administration > Settings* menu and select the *Variable* tab. In case this is the first time this feature is being used, an initial *Environment* will need to be created using the **Create environment** button:

![Creating a new environment](/files/-M4nsaSBmiM9zx2nGK-2)


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