Trigger Conditional with "Hidden" Variable

This article discusses how to use "hidden" variables to trigger a conditional section--learn more about how to set up conditional sections.

What is a Hidden Variable?

Recall that a "conditional" section appears in a contract only if a determining variable is responded to in a way that triggers its inclusion. But if the determining variable is not present anywhere in the contract, it isn't available to serve as a trigger. For example, imagine a company that sends out NDAs from multiple departments, which are identical except for a couple clauses with department-specific content. "Department" would seem to be the determining variable--but it would be a little odd to mention in a contract which department in your company sent out the agreement.

In this case, what you need is a "hidden" variable--one that doesn't appear in the body of the contract, but which is still available to be triggered.  

1. Open the Elements Panel (upper left of template editor) and add a new variable. This variable is now available for interaction with conditionals, but doesn't appear anywhere embedded in contract text.
2. Set up your conditionals using hidden variable.
3. When you are filling out a new contract, this hidden variable is present in the "Manage Variables" panel (lightning bolt icon).

Responding to the hidden variable in this panel will trigger the conditional!