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SetVariable

Last update:
May 18, 2026

Description

Sets a variable in the name parameter to the value of the value parameter. The SetVariable function is a dynamic evaluation function. Do not use untrusted code when using dynamic evaluation functions.

Returns

The new value of the variable.

Category

Function syntax

SetVariable(name, value)

See also

Parameters

Parameter
Description
name
Variable name
value
A string, the name of a string, or a number

Usage

You can use direct assignment statements in place of this function to set values of dynamically named variables. To do so, put the dynamically named variable in quotation marks and number signs (#); for example:
<cfset "#DynamicVar2#" = "Test Value2">
Also, the following lines are equivalent:
<cfset "myVar#i#" = myVal>
SetVariable("myVar" & i, myVal)
For more information, see Using Expressions and Number Signs in the Developing ColdFusion Applications.

Example

<h3>SetVariable Example</h3> 
 

<cfif IsDefined("FORM.myVariable")> 

<!--- strip out url, client., cgi., session., caller. ---> 

<!--- This example only lets you set form variables ---> 

<cfset myName = ReplaceList(FORM.myVariable, 

"url,client,cgi,session,caller", "FORM,FORM,FORM,FORM,FORM")> 
 

<cfset temp = SetVariable(myName, FORM.myValue)> 

<cfset varName = myName> 

<cfset varNameValue = Evaluate(myName)> 

<cfoutput> 

<p>Your variable, #varName# 

<p>The value of #varName# is #varNameValue# 

</cfoutput> 

</cfif>

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