# Path variables
Path variables are placeholders for absolute file system paths. They let you replace hardcoded absolute paths with a named variable. This makes project configuration portable across different machines.
Because such resources may be located in different places on each developer’s computer, user-defined path variables are stored as [global IDE settings](configuring-project-and-ide-settings.html) rather than [project settings](configure-project-settings.html) . The project stores only the variable name, while each developer defines its value locally. Once configured, a path variable has the same value for all projects opened in your instance of IntelliJ IDEA.
You can use path variables to specify paths and command-line arguments for [external tools](configuring-third-party-tools.html) and in some [run configurations](run-debug-configuration.html). For more information, refer to [Built-in IDE macros](built-in-macros.html).
Procedure: Create and use a new path variable
For example, you want to add a locally stored JAR file as a module dependency and share this configuration with your teammates through the VCS.
1. Press `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Windows), `⌘ Comma` (macOS), `⌘ Comma` (IntelliJ IDEA Classic (macOS)), `⌘ Comma` (macOS System Shortcuts), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (XWin), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (GNOME), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (KDE), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Emacs), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Sublime Text), `⌘ Comma` (Sublime Text (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (NetBeans), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Visual Studio), `⌘ Comma` (Visual Studio (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Eclipse), `⌘ Comma` (Eclipse (macOS)) to open settings and then select `Appearance & Behavior | Path Variables`.
2. Click  and enter the name of the new variable and its value, which points to the target directory containing the file on your disk.
3. Add your JAR file as a [module dependency](working-with-module-dependencies.html#add-a-new-dependency).
4. Check the `.iml` file. The dependency is added there using a path variable.
After your team members update their projects from VCS, they will change the value of the variable to point to the required JAR file on their computers.
Refer to the variable as `$var_name$` in fields and configuration files that accept path variables.
IntelliJ IDEA also has the following built-in path variables:
$USER_HOME$
: The current user's home directory.
$PROJECT_DIR$
: The current project's root directory.
$MODULE_WORKING_DIR$
: The current [module's root directory](working-with-projects.html).
$MODULE_IML_DIR$
: The directory with the current module's `.iml` file.
Procedure: Ignore path variables
Whenever you open or update a project, IntelliJ IDEA checks for unresolved path variables. If the IDE detects any, it will ask you to define values for them. If you are not going to use files or directories with the unresolved path variables, you can add them to the list of ignored variables.
You can also use the list of ignored variables when a program argument passed to the run/debug configuration has the same format as a path variable (for example, an environment variable).
1. Press `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Windows), `⌘ Comma` (macOS), `⌘ Comma` (IntelliJ IDEA Classic (macOS)), `⌘ Comma` (macOS System Shortcuts), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (XWin), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (GNOME), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (KDE), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Emacs), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Sublime Text), `⌘ Comma` (Sublime Text (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (NetBeans), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Visual Studio), `⌘ Comma` (Visual Studio (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Eclipse), `⌘ Comma` (Eclipse (macOS)) to open settings and then select `Appearance & Behavior | Path Variables`.
2. Add the names that IntelliJ IDEA shouldn't consider to be path variables to the Ignored Variables field.
3. Click OK to apply the changes.