Documentation Plugins Infinity data source Variables Utility variables

Utility variables

Utility variables are built-in functions for string manipulation, lookups, and value generation. Unlike template variables that query external data sources, utility variables create values directly without making API calls.

To use utility variables, create a new variable in your dashboard and select Infinity as the data source. Then enter one of the following function syntaxes in the query field.

Available functions

Collection

Use Collection() to create a variable with predefined key-value pairs. This is useful when you need a drop-down with static options where the display text differs from the underlying value.

Syntax:

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Collection(DisplayText1,value1,DisplayText2,value2,...)

Example:

The following query creates a drop-down with four environment options:

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Collection(Prod,pd,Non Prod,np,Development,dev,SIT,sit)

This produces the following variable options:

When a user selects “Prod” from the drop-down, the variable value is pd.

CollectionLookup

Use CollectionLookup() to return a value based on another variable, similar to VLOOKUP in spreadsheet applications. This is useful when you need one variable’s value to be derived from another variable’s selection.

Syntax:

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CollectionLookup(key1,value1,key2,value2,...,keyN,valueN,$VariableToLookup)

The last parameter must be the variable to look up. The function returns the value that corresponds to the matching key.

Example:

The following query returns a server name based on the value of the $Environment variable:

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CollectionLookup(pd,prod-server,np,nonprod-server,dev,dev-server,$Environment)

Join

Use Join() to concatenate multiple strings or variables into a single value.

Syntax:

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Join(string1,string2,...,stringN)

Example:

The following query combines an environment variable, a separator, and a server name variable:

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Join($Environment,-hello-,$ServerName)

If $Environment is prod and $ServerName is web01, the result is prod-hello-web01.

Random

Use Random() to return a randomly selected value from a list. This is useful for testing, demos, or any scenario where you want a different value on each dashboard refresh.

Syntax:

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Random(value1,value2,...,valueN)

Example:

The following query randomly returns one of three values:

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Random(A,B,C)

Random String query type

The Random String query type lets you define a list of values directly in the variable editor. Each time the dashboard loads or refreshes, a random value from the list is selected.

This is useful for testing or demo scenarios where you want different values on each refresh without making an API call.

To use the Random String query type:

1. Select Random String as the Query Type.
2. Enter your values in the Values field (press Enter after each value).

UnixTimeStamp

Use UnixTimeStamp() to return the current Unix timestamp, optionally with a relative time shift.

Basic syntax:

Relative time shift syntax:

You can add or subtract time from the current timestamp using the following format:

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UnixTimeStamp(offset,format)

Where offset is a number followed by a time unit, and format is s (seconds) or ms (milliseconds).

Examples: