# @ mentions

Type @ to show an answer somewhere else in your form, from question titles to the thank-you page and emails. Each respondent sees their own values.

## How it works

Type `@` and pick a question or field. It shows as a chip, such as @First name, and the respondent sees their answer in its place. To type a plain `@`, press `Esc`.

## Where mentions work

- Question titles. A question cannot mention its own answer.
- Paragraphs, headings, list items, table cells, links, and image captions
- The thank-you page
- Translations of all of these, where the mention carries into each language
- Email subjects and bodies: notifications, confirmations, reminders, and the request invitation
- Messages and field mappings in integrations

Option labels can mention only hidden fields, calculated fields, and metadata. Button labels and repeating group titles take no mentions.

A mention shows a value as text. To put a value inside a question, where the respondent can edit it, see [Default values from other fields](https://formstep.io/docs/building-forms/field-configuration/#default-values).

## What you can mention

The @ menu lists your questions, [hidden fields](https://formstep.io/docs/building-forms/hidden-fields/), [calculated fields](https://formstep.io/docs/building-forms/calculated-fields/), repeating groups, and metadata about the submission. The metadata you will use most:

| Variable | What it shows |
| - | - |
| 4 or 6 Digit PIN, 4 or 6 Char Code | A number or code unique to the submission, in the form and in emails |
| Form Name | The form’s name, in emails |
| Submitted At | When the response was submitted, in emails |
| PDF Link | A link to the submission PDF, in emails |

> **PINs as reference numbers**
>
> Put a **6 Digit PIN** in the confirmation email as a reference number. You can search for it in the submissions table.

## Mention a repeating group

A [repeating group](https://formstep.io/docs/building-forms/repeating-groups/) can have many items:

- A mention of one question in the group joins its answers from every item with a middle dot (·). The Name question of three guests shows “Jane Appleseed · Marcus Lee · Priya Patel”.

- A mention of the whole group shows every item, with commas between items. A group with Name and Age shows “Jane Appleseed · 34, Marcus Lee · 29”.

## Delete a mentioned question

A mention of a deleted question or field blocks publishing. The issue indicator lists each one, in the form, emails, [translations](https://formstep.io/docs/building-forms/translating-form-content/#field-reference-checks), and integrations. Remove the chip and insert the right one. A hidden or calculated field added back under the same name reconnects on its own.

## Next steps

[Hidden fields](https://formstep.io/docs/building-forms/hidden-fields/) — Pass in data the respondent never sees

[Calculated fields](https://formstep.io/docs/building-forms/calculated-fields/) — Work out a score, a total or a full name