Variables let workbook cells drive dataset behavior.
A variable has:
Name: for example
Color.Cell or range reference: for example
Sheet1!B2.
Create a Variable
Open the Astrato task pane.
Go to Variables.
Click +.
Enter the variable name.
Enter or pick the cell or range reference.
Save the variable.
The saved variable appears in the Variables list with its workbook reference.
Use a Variable in a Dataset
In the dataset property panel, choose a setting that supports variable input and map it to a variable.
At query time, the add-in reads the current cell or range value and sends that resolved value with the dataset query.
Variable Refresh Behavior
If a variable points to a worksheet cell and that cell changes, the add-in checks which datasets use that variable.
Datasets that use the changed variable can refresh automatically unless their update mode is Off.
Override a Variable in a Formula
You can override a variable for a single formula call:
=ASTRATO.TABLE("Sales", ASTRATO.VARIABLE("Color", "Blue"))
This uses Blue for the variable Color in that formula only. The saved variable definition remains unchanged.
Disable an Optional Filter with NA()
If a variable drives a dataset filter, you can set that variable to NULL with Excel’s NA() function.
Use this when the filter should be ignored for one formula call:
=ASTRATO.TABLE("Sales", ASTRATO.VARIABLE("Regions", NA()))
This sends NULL for the variable named Regions. Astrato treats that value as inactive, so the variable-driven filter is not applied.
You can also use a helper cell:
=ASTRATO.VARIABLE("Regions", NA())
Then pass that helper cell to the dataset formula:
=ASTRATO.TABLE("Sales", D4)
In English Excel, the function is NA(). Excel may localize built-in function names in other languages, for example NV() in German Excel.
Variables With Ranges
A variable can point to a range. Blank cells are ignored when the add-in reads the range.
Ranges are useful for filter lists, such as a list of selected regions or products.