### Variable declarations using Dim

Before using a variable in a formula, you must declare it. A variable can hold values of a given type. The allowed types are the seven simple types (Number, Currency, String, Boolean, Date, Time and DateTime), the six range types (Number Range, Currency Range, String Range, Date Range, Time Range and DateTime Range) and variables that hold arrays of the previously mentioned types. This gives a total of 26 different types that a variable can have. When you declare a variable, you also specify its name. A variable cannot have the same name as any function, operator or other keyword that is valid for Basic syntax. For example, your variable cannot be named Sin, Mod or If because Sin is a built in function, Mod is a built in operator and If is a built in keyword. When typing formulas in the formula editor, the names of the built-in functions, operators, and other keywords are highlighted in a different color. This makes it easy to check if the variable name conflicts.

Once a variable is declared, it can be used in the formula. For example, you might want to assign it an initial value:

    Dim x As Number 'Declare x to be a Number variable
    x = 10 'Assign the value of 10 to x

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