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

# Scoping variables

Every variable has a *scope* that determines where and when your bot can access it.

Try restarting the conversation. Select **** in the Emulator, then send a message:

![New conversation](https://mintcdn.com/botpress/kQTLjOfDaoBQlj_Z/tutorial/basics/storing-information/assets/new-conversation.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=kQTLjOfDaoBQlj_Z\&q=85\&s=268aad0e553a1d78959a212f8b0d253f)

That's not ideal—the bot asked for our name again, even though we already told it in a previous conversation.

This is because `firstName` is a *Workflow* variable—it keeps the same value for the current Workflow, then resets when the Workflow is done its execution. Since each new conversation re-executes the Main Workflow, the value resets every time.

Newly-created variables have the Workflow scope by default.

## Changing a variable's scope

Let's change `firstName` to a *User* variable:

1. In the Variables section, hover over `firstName` and select **** to edit it.
2. In the **Scope** drop-down, switch from **Workflow** to **User**.
3. Select **Save**.

Now, go back to the Emulator and repeat the process. Start one conversation and tell it your name:

![Variable test](https://mintcdn.com/botpress/77RdG9PeqgICIbbZ/tutorial/basics/storing-information/assets/variable-test.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=77RdG9PeqgICIbbZ\&q=85\&s=826e70e74c348b83cd4dbafd94ceaff0)

Then, select **** to restart the conversation and send a message:

![User variable test](https://mintcdn.com/botpress/kQTLjOfDaoBQlj_Z/tutorial/basics/storing-information/assets/user-variable-test.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=kQTLjOfDaoBQlj_Z\&q=85\&s=ea66611525b093dc28627aa641eb0f40)

Much better! The bot remembered the name from our previous conversation. Notice that in the Variables section, the value stayed the same:

![User variable](https://mintcdn.com/botpress/kQTLjOfDaoBQlj_Z/tutorial/basics/storing-information/assets/user-variable.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=kQTLjOfDaoBQlj_Z\&q=85\&s=ea5471cdbeabe23a8778cf87976b0efd)


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