Docs: Refactor Variables and Templating content (#23952)

* Moved templating.md

Moved file to a different folder, added alias information, updated menu.yaml

* Split out advanced variable format options from templating.md

* Reworked Advanced variable format options

* Update templating.md

* Moved global variables to another topic

* Moved template files

* Update global-variables.md

* Update global-variables.md

* Update templates-and-variables.md

* made new repeating panels and rows topic

* updated links and menu

* Update advanced-variable-format-options.md

* Update repeat-panels-or-rows.md

* Update menu.yaml

* Update prometheus.md

* Applied Daniel's edits

docs/sources/features/dashboard/dashboards.md

@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ The image above shows you the top header for a Dashboard.
 
 The time period for the dashboard can be controlled by the [Time range controls]({{< relref "../../reference/timerange.md" >}}) in the upper right of the dashboard.
 
-Dashboards can use [templating]({{< relref "../../reference/templating.md" >}}) to make them more dynamic and interactive.
+Dashboards can use [templating]({{< relref "../../variables/templates-and-variables.md" >}}) to make them more dynamic and interactive.
 
 Dashboards can use [annotations]({{< relref "../../reference/annotations.md" >}}) to display event data across panels. This can help correlate the time series data in the panel with other events.
 
@@ -61,4 +61,4 @@ We use a unit abstraction so that Grafana looks great on all screens sizes.
 
 Collapse a row by clicking on the row title. If you save a dashboard with a row collapsed, then it saves in that state and does not load those graphs until you expand the row.
 
-Use the [repeating rows]({{< relref "../../reference/templating.md#repeating-rows" >}}) functionality to dynamically create or remove entire rows, which can be filled with panels, based on the template variables selected.
+Use the [repeating rows]({{< relref "../../variables/templates-and-variables.md#repeating-rows" >}}) functionality to dynamically create or remove entire rows, which can be filled with panels, based on the template variables selected.

docs/sources/features/datasources/azuremonitor.md

@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ Examples:
 
 {{< docs-imagebox img="/img/docs/v60/azuremonitor-service-variables.png" class="docs-image--no-shadow" caption="Nested Azure Monitor Template Variables" >}}
 
-Check out the [Templating]({{< relref "../../reference/templating.md" >}}) documentation for an introduction to the templating feature and the different
+Check out the [Templating]({{< relref "../../variables/templates-and-variables.md" >}}) documentation for an introduction to the templating feature and the different
 types of template variables.
 
 ### Azure Monitor Metrics Whitelist
@@ -198,7 +198,7 @@ Examples:
 
 Use the one of the following queries in the `Query` field in the Variable edit view.
 
-Check out the [Templating]({{< relref "../../reference/templating.md" >}}) documentation for an introduction to the templating feature and the different
+Check out the [Templating]({{< relref "../../variables/templates-and-variables.md" >}}) documentation for an introduction to the templating feature and the different
 types of template variables.
 
 | Name                               | Description                                                |
@@ -272,13 +272,13 @@ To make writing queries easier there are several Grafana macros that can be used
 
 There are also some Grafana variables that can be used in Azure Log Analytics queries:
 
-- `$__interval` - Grafana calculates the minimum time grain that can be used to group by time in queries. More details on how it works [here]({{< relref "../../reference/templating.md#interval-variables" >}}). It returns a time grain like `5m` or `1h` that can be used in the bin function. E.g. `summarize count() by bin(TimeGenerated, $__interval)`
+- `$__interval` - Grafana calculates the minimum time grain that can be used to group by time in queries. More details on how it works [here]({{< relref "../../variables/templates-and-variables.md#interval-variables" >}}). It returns a time grain like `5m` or `1h` that can be used in the bin function. E.g. `summarize count() by bin(TimeGenerated, $__interval)`
 
 ### Templating with Variables for Azure Log Analytics
 
 Any Log Analytics query that returns a list of values can be used in the `Query` field in the Variable edit view. There is also one Grafana function for Log Analytics that returns a list of workspaces.
 
-Refer to the [Variables]({{< relref "../../reference/templating.md" >}}) documentation for an introduction to the templating feature and the different
+Refer to the [Variables]({{< relref "../../variables/templates-and-variables.md" >}}) documentation for an introduction to the templating feature and the different
 types of template variables.
 
 | Name                                               | Description                                                                                            |

docs/sources/features/datasources/cloudwatch.md

@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ To import the pre-configured dashboards, go to the configuration page of your Cl
 
 Instead of hard-coding things like server, application and sensor name in you metric queries you can use variables in their place. Variables are shown as dropdown select boxes at the top of the dashboard. These dropdowns make it easy to change the data being displayed in your dashboard.
 
-See the [Templating]({{< relref "../../reference/templating.md" >}}) documentation for an introduction to the templating feature and the different types of template variables.
+See the [Templating]({{< relref "../../variables/templates-and-variables.md" >}}) documentation for an introduction to the templating feature and the different types of template variables.
 
 ### Query variable
 

docs/sources/features/datasources/data-sources.md

@@ -17,6 +17,6 @@ Each data source has a specific query editor that is customized for the features
 
 Use the query editor to build one or more queries in your time series database. The panel instantly updates, allowing you to effectively explore your data in real time and build a perfect query for that particular panel.
 
-You can use [template variables]({{< relref "../../reference/templating.md" >}}) in the query editor within the queries themselves. This provides a powerful way to explore data dynamically based on the templating variables selected on the dashboard.
+You can use [template variables]({{< relref "../../variables/templates-and-variables.md" >}}) in the query editor within the queries themselves. This provides a powerful way to explore data dynamically based on the templating variables selected on the dashboard.
 
 Grafana allows you to reference queries in the query editor by the row that they’re on. If you add a second query to graph, you can reference the first query by typing in #A. This provides an easy and convenient way to build compound queries.
\ No newline at end of file

docs/sources/features/datasources/elasticsearch.md

@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ Instead of hard-coding things like server, application and sensor name in your m
 Variables are shown as dropdown select boxes at the top of the dashboard. These dropdowns make it easy to change the data
 being displayed in your dashboard.
 
-Check out the [Templating]({{< relref "../../reference/templating.md" >}}) documentation for an introduction to the templating feature and the different
+Check out the [Templating]({{< relref "../../variables/templates-and-variables.md" >}}) documentation for an introduction to the templating feature and the different
 types of template variables.
 
 ### Query variable

docs/sources/features/datasources/graphite.md

@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ Instead of hard-coding things like server, application and sensor name in your m
 Variables are shown as dropdown select boxes at the top of the dashboard. These dropdowns make it easy to change the data
 being displayed in your dashboard.
 
-Check out the [Templating]({{< relref "../../reference/templating.md" >}}) documentation for an introduction to the templating feature and the different
+Check out the [Templating]({{< relref "../../variables/templates-and-variables.md" >}}) documentation for an introduction to the templating feature and the different
 types of template variables.
 
 Graphite 1.1 introduced tags and Grafana added support for Graphite queries with tags in version 5.0. To create a variable using tag values, then you need to use the Grafana functions `tags` and `tag_values`.
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ Example of a tag expression with regex formatting and using the Equal Tilde oper
 server=~${servers:regex}
 ```
 
-Check out the [Advanced Formatting Options section in the Variables]({{< relref "../../reference/templating.md#advanced-formatting-options" >}}) documentation for examples and details.
+Check out the [Advanced Formatting Options section in the Variables]({{< relref "../../variables/templates-and-variables.md#advanced-formatting-options" >}}) documentation for examples and details.
 
 ## Annotations
 

docs/sources/features/datasources/influxdb.md

@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ Instead of hard-coding things like server, application and sensor name in your m
 Variables are shown as dropdown select boxes at the top of the dashboard. These dropdowns make it easy to change the data
 being displayed in your dashboard.
 
-Check out the [Templating]({{< relref "../../reference/templating.md" >}}) documentation for an introduction to the templating feature and the different
+Check out the [Templating]({{< relref "../../variables/templates-and-variables.md" >}}) documentation for an introduction to the templating feature and the different
 types of template variables.
 
 ### Query variable

docs/sources/features/datasources/loki.md

@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ log message you're interested in.
 
 Instead of hard-coding things like server, application and sensor name in your metric queries, you can use variables in their place. Variables are shown as drop-down select boxes at the top of the dashboard. These drop-down boxes make it easy to change the data being displayed in your dashboard.
 
-Check out the [Templating]({{< relref "../../reference/templating" >}}) documentation for an introduction to the templating feature and the different types of template variables.
+Check out the [Templating]({{< relref "../../variables/templates-and-variables" >}}) documentation for an introduction to the templating feature and the different types of template variables.
 
 ## Annotations
 

docs/sources/features/datasources/mssql.md

@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ Name | Description
 
 ### Min time interval
 
-A lower limit for the [$__interval]({{< relref "../../reference/templating/#the-interval-variable" >}}) and [$__interval_ms]({{< relref "../../reference/templating/#the-interval-ms-variable" >}}) variables.
+A lower limit for the [$__interval]({{< relref "../../variables/templates-and-variables/#the-interval-variable" >}}) and [$__interval_ms]({{< relref "../../variables/templates-and-variables/#the-interval-ms-variable" >}}) variables.
 Recommended to be set to write frequency, for example `1m` if your data is written every minute.
 This option can also be overridden/configured in a dashboard panel under data source options. It's important to note that this value **needs** to be formatted as a
 number followed by a valid time identifier, e.g. `1m` (1 minute) or `30s` (30 seconds). The following time identifiers are supported:
@@ -300,7 +300,7 @@ Any series lacking a value in a 3 minute window will have a value of zero which
 
 Instead of hard-coding things like server, application and sensor name in your metric queries you can use variables in their place. Variables are shown as dropdown select boxes at the top of the dashboard. These dropdowns make it easy to change the data being displayed in your dashboard.
 
-Check out the [Templating]({{< relref "../../reference/templating.md" >}}) documentation for an introduction to the templating feature and the different types of template variables.
+Check out the [Templating]({{< relref "../../variables/templates-and-variables.md" >}}) documentation for an introduction to the templating feature and the different types of template variables.
 
 ### Query Variable
 
@@ -370,7 +370,7 @@ Grafana automatically creates a quoted, comma-separated string for multi-value v
 
 `${servers:csv}`
 
-Read more about variable formatting options in the [Variables]({{< relref "../../reference/templating.md#advanced-formatting-options" >}}) documentation.
+Read more about variable formatting options in the [Variables]({{< relref "../../variables/templates-and-variables.md#advanced-formatting-options" >}}) documentation.
 
 ## Annotations
 

docs/sources/features/datasources/mysql.md

@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ Name | Description
 
 ### Min time interval
 
-A lower limit for the [$__interval]({{< relref "../../reference/templating/#the-interval-variable" >}}) and [$__interval_ms]({{< relref "../../reference/templating/#the-interval-ms-variable" >}}) variables.
+A lower limit for the [$__interval]({{< relref "../../variables/templates-and-variables/#the-interval-variable" >}}) and [$__interval_ms]({{< relref "../../variables/templates-and-variables/#the-interval-ms-variable" >}}) variables.
 Recommended to be set to write frequency, for example `1m` if your data is written every minute.
 This option can also be overridden/configured in a dashboard panel under data source options. It's important to note that this value **needs** to be formatted as a
 number followed by a valid time identifier, e.g. `1m` (1 minute) or `30s` (30 seconds). The following time identifiers are supported:
@@ -238,7 +238,7 @@ This feature is currently available in the nightly builds and will be included i
 
 Instead of hard-coding things like server, application and sensor name in your metric queries you can use variables in their place. Variables are shown as dropdown select boxes at the top of the dashboard. These dropdowns make it easy to change the data being displayed in your dashboard.
 
-Check out the [Templating]({{< relref "../../reference/templating.md" >}}) documentation for an introduction to the templating feature and the different types of template variables.
+Check out the [Templating]({{< relref "../../variables/templates-and-variables.md" >}}) documentation for an introduction to the templating feature and the different types of template variables.
 
 ### Query Variable
 
@@ -331,7 +331,7 @@ Grafana automatically creates a quoted, comma-separated string for multi-value v
 
 `${servers:csv}`
 
-Read more about variable formatting options in the [Variables]({{< relref "../../reference/templating.md#advanced-formatting-options" >}}) documentation.
+Read more about variable formatting options in the [Variables]({{< relref "../../variables/templates-and-variables.md#advanced-formatting-options" >}}) documentation.
 
 ## Annotations
 

docs/sources/features/datasources/opentsdb.md

@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ Instead of hard-coding things like server, application and sensor name in your m
 Variables are shown as dropdown select boxes at the top of the dashboard. These dropdowns make it easy to change the data
 being displayed in your dashboard.
 
-Check out the [Templating]({{< relref "../../reference/templating.md" >}}) documentation for an introduction to the templating feature and the different
+Check out the [Templating]({{< relref "../../variables/templates-and-variables.md" >}}) documentation for an introduction to the templating feature and the different
 types of template variables.
 
 ### Query variable

docs/sources/features/datasources/postgres.md

@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ Name | Description
 
 ### Min time interval
 
-A lower limit for the [$__interval]({{< relref "../../reference/templating/#the-interval-variable" >}}) and [$__interval_ms]({{< relref "../../reference/templating/#the-interval-ms-variable" >}}) variables.
+A lower limit for the [$__interval]({{< relref "../../variables/templates-and-variables/#the-interval-variable" >}}) and [$__interval_ms]({{< relref "../../variables/templates-and-variables/#the-interval-ms-variable" >}}) variables.
 Recommended to be set to write frequency, for example `1m` if your data is written every minute.
 This option can also be overridden/configured in a dashboard panel under data source options. It's important to note that this value **needs** to be formatted as a
 number followed by a valid time identifier, e.g. `1m` (1 minute) or `30s` (30 seconds). The following time identifiers are supported:
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ ORDER BY time
 
 Instead of hard-coding things like server, application and sensor name in your metric queries you can use variables in their place. Variables are shown as dropdown select boxes at the top of the dashboard. These dropdowns make it easy to change the data being displayed in your dashboard.
 
-Check out the [Templating]({{< relref "../../reference/templating.md" >}}) documentation for an introduction to the templating feature and the different types of template variables.
+Check out the [Templating]({{< relref "../../variables/templates-and-variables.md" >}}) documentation for an introduction to the templating feature and the different types of template variables.
 
 ### Query Variable
 
@@ -333,7 +333,7 @@ Grafana automatically creates a quoted, comma-separated string for multi-value v
 
 `${servers:csv}`
 
-Read more about variable formatting options in the [Variables]({{< relref "../../reference/templating.md#advanced-formatting-options" >}}) documentation.
+Read more about variable formatting options in the [Variables]({{< relref "../../variables/templates-and-variables.md#advanced-formatting-options" >}}) documentation.
 
 ## Annotations
 

docs/sources/features/datasources/prometheus.md

@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ Instead of hard-coding things like server, application and sensor name in your m
 Variables are shown as dropdown select boxes at the top of the dashboard. These dropdowns make it easy to change the data
 being displayed in your dashboard.
 
-Check out the [Templating]({{< relref "../../reference/templating.md" >}}) documentation for an introduction to the templating feature and the different
+Check out the [Templating]({{< relref "../../variables/templates-and-variables.md" >}}) documentation for an introduction to the templating feature and the different
 types of template variables.
 
 ### Query variable
@@ -89,7 +89,8 @@ For details of what _metric names_, _label names_ and _label values_ are please
 
 > Support for `$__range`, `$__range_s` and `$__range_ms` only available from Grafana v5.3
 
-You can use some global built-in variables in query variables; `$__interval`, `$__interval_ms`, `$__range`, `$__range_s` and `$__range_ms`, see [Global built-in variables]({{< relref "../../reference/templating/#global-built-in-variables" >}}) for more information. These can be convenient to use in conjunction with the `query_result` function when you need to filter variable queries since
+You can use some global built-in variables in query variables; `$__interval`, `$__interval_ms`, `$__range`, `$__range_s` and `$__range_ms`, see [Global built-in variables]({{< relref "../../variables/global-variables.md" >}}) for more information. These can be convenient to use in conjunction with the `query_result` function when you need to filter variable queries since
+
 `label_values` function doesn't support queries.
 
 Make sure to set the variable's `refresh` trigger to be `On Time Range Change` to get the correct instances when changing the time range on the dashboard.

docs/sources/features/datasources/stackdriver.md

@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ The option is called `Stackdriver auto` and the defaults are:
 - 5m for time ranges >= 23 hours and < 6 days
 - 1h for time ranges >= 6 days
 
-The other automatic option is `Grafana auto`. This will automatically set the group by time depending on the time range chosen and the width of the graph panel. Read more about the details [here](http://docs.grafana.org/reference/templating/#the-interval-variable).
+The other automatic option is `Grafana auto`. This will automatically set the group by time depending on the time range chosen and the width of the graph panel. Read more about the details [here](http://docs.grafana.org/variables/templates-and-variables/#the-interval-variable).
 
 It is also possible to choose fixed time intervals to group by, like `1h` or `1d`.
 
@@ -231,7 +231,7 @@ Instead of hard-coding things like server, application and sensor name in you me
 Variables are shown as dropdown select boxes at the top of the dashboard. These dropdowns make it easy to change the data
 being displayed in your dashboard.
 
-Check out the [Templating]({{< relref "../../reference/templating.md" >}}) documentation for an introduction to the templating feature and the different
+Check out the [Templating]({{< relref "../../variables/templates-and-variables.md" >}}) documentation for an introduction to the templating feature and the different
 types of template variables.
 
 ### Query Variable

docs/sources/features/panels/graph.md

@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ The general tab allows customization of a panel's appearance and menu options.
 - **Transparent** - If checked, removes the solid background of the panel (default not checked).
 
 ### Repeat
-Repeat a panel for each value of a variable.  Repeating panels are described in more detail [here]({{< relref "../../reference/templating.md#repeating-panels" >}}).
+Repeat a panel for each value of a variable.  Repeating panels are described in more detail [here]({{< relref "../../variables/templates-and-variables.md#repeating-panels" >}}).
 
 
 ## Metrics

docs/sources/features/panels/panels.md

@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ There are a wide variety of styling and formatting options for each panel. Panel
 
 Panels like the [Graph]({{< relref "graph.md" >}}) panel allow you to graph as many metrics and series as you want. Other panels like [Singlestat]({{< relref "singlestat.md" >}}) require a reduction of a single query into a single number.
 
-Panels can be made more dynamic with [Dashboard Templating]({{< relref "../../reference/templating.md" >}}) variable strings within the panel configuration. The template can include queries to your data source configured in the Query Editor.
+Panels can be made more dynamic with [Dashboard Templating]({{< relref "../../variables/templates-and-variables.md" >}}) variable strings within the panel configuration. The template can include queries to your data source configured in the Query Editor.
 
 Panels can be [shared]({{< relref "../../reference/share_panel.md" >}}) easily in a variety of ways.
 

docs/sources/guides/what-is-grafana.md

@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ Refer to [Annotations]({{< relref "../reference/annotations.md" >}}) for more in
 
 ## Dashboard variables
 
-[Template variables]({{< relref "../reference/templating.md" >}}) allow you to create dashboards that can be reused for lots of different use cases. Values aren't hard-coded with these templates, so for instance, if you have a production server and a test server, you can use the same dashboard for both. 
+[Template variables]({{< relref "../variables/templates-and-variables.md" >}}) allow you to create dashboards that can be reused for lots of different use cases. Values aren't hard-coded with these templates, so for instance, if you have a production server and a test server, you can use the same dashboard for both. 
 
 Templating allows you to drill down into your data, say, from all data to North America data, down to Texas data, and beyond. You can also share these dashboards across teams within your organization—or if you create a great dashboard template for a popular data source, you can contribute it to the whole community to customize and use.
 

docs/sources/guides/whats-new-in-v5-1.md

@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ New enhancements includes support for mapping a numeric value/range to text and
 ## New variable interpolation syntax
 
 We now support a new option for rendering variables that gives the user full control of how the value(s) should be rendered.
-In the table below you can see some examples and you can find all different options in the [Variables documentation](http://docs.grafana.org/reference/templating/#advanced-formatting-options).
+In the table below you can see some examples and you can find all different options in the [Variables documentation](http://docs.grafana.org/variables/templates-and-variables/#advanced-formatting-options).
 
 Filter Option | Example | Raw | Interpolated | Description
 ------------ | ------------- | ------------- | -------------  | -------------

docs/sources/menu.yaml

@@ -83,10 +83,7 @@
     link: /tutorials/ha_setup/
   - name: Troubleshooting
     link: /installation/troubleshooting/
-- name: Features
-  link: /features/
-  children:
-    - name: Panels
+- name: Panels
   link: /features/panels/
   children:
   - link: /features/panels/panels/
@@ -113,13 +110,11 @@
     name: Dashboard list
   - link: /features/panels/text/
     name: Text
-    - name: Dashboard features
+- name: Dashboard features
   link: /features/dashboard/
   children:
   - link: /features/dashboard/dashboards/
     name: Overview
-        - link: /reference/templating/
-          name: Variables
   - link: /reference/annotations/
     name: Annotations
   - link: /reference/dashboard_folders/
@@ -138,13 +133,17 @@
     name: Export and import
   - link: /reference/datalinks/
     name: Data links
-        - name: Navigation links
-          link: /features/dashboard/links
   - link: /reference/dashboard_history/
-          name: Version history
+    name: Dashboard version history
+  - name: Keyboard Shortcuts
+    link: /features/shortcuts/
+  - name: Reporting
+    link: /features/reporting/
   - link: /reference/dashboard/
     name: JSON Model
-    - name: Data sources
+  - link: /reference/scripting/
+    name: Scripted dashboards
+- name: Data sources
   link: /features/datasources/
   children:
   - link: /features/datasources/add-a-data-source/
@@ -177,9 +176,9 @@
     name: Prometheus
   - link: /features/datasources/testdata/
     name: TestData DB
-    - name: Explore
+- name: Explore
   link: /features/explore/
-    - name: Alerting
+- name: Alerting
   link: /alerting/
   children:
   - link: /alerting/rules/
@@ -188,12 +187,21 @@
     name: Metrics
   - link: /alerting/notifications/
     name: Notifications
-    - name: Image rendering
+- name: Image rendering
   link: /administration/image_rendering/
-    - name: Keyboard Shortcuts
-      link: /features/shortcuts/
-    - name: Reporting
-      link: /features/reporting/
+- name: Navigation links
+  link: /features/navigation-links/
+- name: Templates and variables
+  link: /variables/
+  children:
+    - link: /variables/templates-and-variables/
+      name: Overview
+    - link: /variables/global-variables/
+      name: Global variables
+    - link: /variables/advanced-variable-format-options/
+      name: Advanced variable formats
+    - link: /variables/repeat-panels-or-rows/
+      name: Repeat panels or rows
 - name: What's new in Grafana
   link: /whatsnew/
   children:

docs/sources/packages_api/runtime/_index.md

@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ A library containing services, configurations etc. used to interact with the Gra
 |  [MetaAnalyticsEvent](./metaanalyticsevent/) | Describes meta analytics event with predefined [EchoEventType.MetaAnalytics](./runtime/echoeventtype/metaanalytics.md) type. |
 |  [PluginCssOptions](./plugincssoptions/) | Option to specify a plugin css that should be applied for the dark and the light theme. |
 |  [SizeMeta](./sizemeta/) | Describes a size with width/height |
-|  [TemplateSrv](./templatesrv/) | Via the TemplateSrv consumers get access to all the available template variables that can be used within the current active dashboard.<!-- -->For a more in-depth description visit: https://grafana.com/docs/grafana/latest/reference/templating |
+|  [TemplateSrv](./templatesrv/) | Via the TemplateSrv consumers get access to all the available template variables that can be used within the current active dashboard.<!-- -->For a more in-depth description visit: https://grafana.com/docs/grafana/latest/variables/templates-and-variables |
 
 ## Variables
 

docs/sources/packages_api/runtime/templatesrv.md

@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ type = "docs"
 
 Via the TemplateSrv consumers get access to all the available template variables that can be used within the current active dashboard.
 
-For a more in-depth description visit: https://grafana.com/docs/grafana/latest/reference/templating
+For a more in-depth description visit: https://grafana.com/docs/grafana/latest/variables/templates-and-variables
 
 <b>Signature</b>
 

docs/sources/variables/_index.md

++++
+title = "Templates and variables"
+type = "docs"
+[menu.docs]
+identifier = "variables"
+weight = 500
++++

docs/sources/variables/advanced-variable-format-options.md

++++
+title = "Advanced variable format options"
+keywords = ["grafana", "templating", "documentation", "guide", "template", "variable"]
+type = "docs"
+[menu.docs]
+name = "advanced-variable-format-options"
+parent = "variables"
+weight = 300
++++
+
+# Advanced variable format options
+
+The formatting of the variable interpolation depends on the data source, but there are some situations where you might want to change the default formatting. 
+
+For example, the default for the MySql data source is to join multiple values as comma-separated with quotes: `'server01','server02'`. In some cases, you might want to have a comma-separated string without quotes: `server01,server02`. You can make that happen with advanced variable formatting options listed below.
+
+## General syntax
+
+Syntax: `${var_name:option}`
+
+Test the formatting options on the [Grafana Play site](https://play.grafana.org/d/cJtIfcWiz/template-variable-formatting-options?orgId=1).
+
+If any invalid formatting option is specified, then `glob` is the default/fallback option.
+
+An alternative syntax (that might be deprecated in the future) is `[[var_name:option]]`.
+
+## CSV
+
+Formats multi-value variable as a comma-separated string.
+
+```bash
+servers = ['test1', 'test2']
+String to interpolate: '${servers:csv}'
+Interpolation result: 'test1,test2'
+```
+
+## Distributed - OpenTSDB
+
+Formats multi-value variable in custom format for OpenTSDB.
+
+```bash
+servers = ['test1', 'test2']
+String to interpolate: '${servers:distributed}'
+Interpolation result: 'test1,servers=test2'
+```
+
+## Doublequote
+
+Formats single- and multi-valued variables into a comma-separated string, escapes `"` in each value by `\"` and quotes each value with `"`.
+
+```bash
+servers = ['test1', 'test2']
+String to interpolate: '${servers:doublequote}'
+Interpolation result: '"test1","test2"'
+```
+
+## Glob - Graphite
+
+Formats multi-value variable into a glob (for Graphite queries).
+
+```bash
+servers = ['test1', 'test2']
+String to interpolate: '${servers:glob}'
+Interpolation result: '{test1,test2}'
+```
+
+## JSON
+
+Formats multi-value variable as a comma-separated string.
+
+```bash
+servers = ['test1', 'test2']
+String to interpolate: '${servers:json}'
+Interpolation result: '["test1", "test2"]'
+```
+
+## Lucene - Elasticsearch
+
+Formats multi-value variable in Lucene format for Elasticsearch.
+
+```bash
+servers = ['test1', 'test2']
+String to interpolate: '${servers:lucene}'
+Interpolation result: '("test1" OR "test2")'
+```
+
+## Percentencode
+
+Formats single and multi valued variables for use in URL parameters.
+
+```bash
+servers = ['foo()bar BAZ', 'test2']
+String to interpolate: '${servers:percentencode}'
+Interpolation result: 'foo%28%29bar%20BAZ%2Ctest2'
+```
+
+## Pipe
+
+Formats multi-value variable into a pipe-separated string.
+
+```bash
+servers = ['test1.', 'test2']
+String to interpolate: '${servers:pipe}'
+Interpolation result: 'test1.|test2'
+```
+
+## Regex
+
+Formats multi-value variable into a regex string.
+
+```bash
+servers = ['test1.', 'test2']
+String to interpolate: '${servers:regex}'
+Interpolation result: '(test1\.|test2)'
+```
+
+## Singlequote
+
+Formats single- and multi-valued variables into a comma-separated string, escapes `'` in each value by `\'` and quotes each value with `'`.
+
+```bash
+servers = ['test1', 'test2']
+String to interpolate: '${servers:singlequote}'
+Interpolation result: "'test1','test2'"
+```
+
+## Sqlstring
+
+Formats single- and multi-valued variables into a comma-separated string, escapes `'` in each value by `''` and quotes each value with `'`.
+
+```bash
+servers = ["test'1", "test2"]
+String to interpolate: '${servers:sqlstring}'
+Interpolation result: "'test''1','test2'"
+```

docs/sources/variables/global-variables.md

++++
+title = "Global variables"
+keywords = ["grafana", "templating", "documentation", "guide", "template", "variable", "global", "standard"]
+type = "docs"
+[menu.docs]
+name = "global-variables"
+parent = "variables"
+weight = 200
++++
+
+# Global variables
+
+Grafana has global built-in variables that can be used in expressions in the query editor. This topic lists them in alphabetical order and defines them.
+
+## $__dashboard
+> Only available in Grafana v6.7+
+
+This variable is the UID of the current dashboard.
+`${__dashboard.name}` is the name of the current dashboard.
+
+## $__from and $__to
+
+> Only available in Grafana v6.0+
+
+Grafana has two built in time range variables: `$__from` and `$__to`. They are currently always interpolated as epoch milliseconds. 
+
+## $__interval
+
+The `$__interval` variable can be used as a parameter to group by time (for InfluxDB, MySQL, Postgres, MSSQL), Date histogram interval (for Elasticsearch) or as a *summarize* function parameter (for Graphite).
+
+Grafana automatically calculates an interval that can be used to group by time in queries. When there are more data points than can be shown on a graph then queries can be made more efficient by grouping by a larger interval. It is more efficient to group by 1 day than by 10s when looking at 3 months of data and the graph will look the same and the query will be faster. The `$__interval` is calculated using the time range and the width of the graph (the number of pixels).
+
+Approximate Calculation: `(from - to) / resolution`
+
+For example, when the time range is 1 hour and the graph is full screen, then the interval might be calculated to `2m` - points are grouped in 2 minute intervals. If the time range is 6 months and the graph is full screen, then the interval might be `1d` (1 day) - points are grouped by day.
+
+In the InfluxDB data source, the legacy variable `$interval` is the same variable. `$__interval` should be used instead.
+
+The InfluxDB and Elasticsearch data sources have `Group by time interval` fields that are used to hard code the interval or to set the minimum limit for the `$__interval` variable (by using the `>` syntax -> `>10m`).
+
+## $__interval_ms
+
+This variable is the `$__interval` variable in milliseconds, not a time interval formatted string. For example, if the `$__interval` is `20m` then the `$__interval_ms` is `1200000`.
+
+## $__name
+
+This variable is only available in the Singlestat panel and can be used in the prefix or suffix fields on the Options tab. The variable will be replaced with the series name or alias.
+
+## $__org
+> Only available in Grafana v6.7+
+
+This variable is the ID of the current organization.
+`${__org.name}` is the name of the current organization.
+
+## $__range
+
+> Only available in Grafana v5.3+
+
+Currently only supported for Prometheus data sources. This variable represents the range for the current dashboard. It is calculated by `to - from`. It has a millisecond and a second representation called `$__range_ms` and `$__range_s`.
+
+## $timeFilter or $__timeFilter
+
+The `$timeFilter` variable returns the currently selected time range as an expression. For example, the time range interval `Last 7 days` expression is `time > now() - 7d`.
+
+This is used in several places, including:
+* The WHERE clause for the InfluxDB data source. Grafana adds it automatically to InfluxDB queries when in Query Editor Mode. It has to be added manually in Text Editor Mode: `WHERE $timeFilter`.
+* Log Analytics queries in the Azure Monitor data source.
+* SQL queries in MySQL, Postgres, and MSSQL
+* The `$__timeFilter` variable is used in the MySQL data source.
\ No newline at end of file

docs/sources/variables/repeat-panels-or-rows.md

++++
+title = "Variables"
+keywords = ["grafana", "templating", "documentation", "guide", "template", "variable", "repeat"]
+type = "docs"
+[menu.docs]
+name = "Repeat panels or rows"
+parent = "variables"
+weight = 400
++++
+
+# Repeat panels or rows
+
+Grafana lets you create dynamic dashboards using _template variables_. Any variables in your queries expands to the current value of the variable before the query is sent to the database. Variables let you reuse a single dashboard for all your services.
+
+Template variables can be very useful to dynamically change your queries across a whole dashboard. If you want
+Grafana to dynamically create new panels or rows based on what values you have selected you can use the *Repeat* feature.
+
+## Repeating panels
+
+If you have a variable with `Multi-value` or `Include all value` options enabled you can choose one panel and have Grafana repeat that panel
+for every selected value. You find the *Repeat* feature under the *General tab* in panel edit mode.
+
+The `direction` controls how the panels will be arranged.
+
+By choosing `horizontal` the panels will be arranged side-by-side. Grafana will automatically adjust the width
+of each repeated panel so that the whole row is filled. Currently, you cannot mix other panels on a row with a repeated
+panel.
+
+Set `Max per row` to tell grafana how many panels per row you want at most. It defaults to *4* if you don't set anything.
+
+By choosing `vertical` the panels will be arranged from top to bottom in a column. The width of the repeated panels will be the same as of the first panel (the original template) being repeated.
+
+Only make changes to the first panel (the original template). To have the changes take effect on all panels you need to trigger a dynamic dashboard re-build.
+You can do this by either changing the variable value (that is the basis for the repeat) or reload the dashboard.
+
+> **Note:** Repeating panels require variables to have one or more items selected; you cannot repeat a panel zero times to hide it.
+
+## Repeating rows
+
+As seen above with the panels you can also repeat rows if you have variables set with  `Multi-value` or
+`Include all value` selection option.
+
+To enable this feature you need to first add a new *Row* using the *Add Panel* menu. Then by hovering the row title and
+clicking on the cog button, you will access the `Row Options` configuration panel. You can then select the variable
+you want to repeat the row for.
+
+It may be a good idea to use a variable in the row title as well.
+
+Example: [Repeated Rows Dashboard](https://play.grafana.org/dashboard/db/repeated-rows)
\ No newline at end of file