Debug Tool Window. Variables

The Variables pane enables you to examine the values stored in the objects of your application.

When a stack frame is selected in the Frames pane, the Variables pane displays all data within its scope (method parameters, local and instance variables).

In this pane, you can set labels for objects, inspect objects, evaluate expressions, add variables to watches and more.

In this topic:

Context Menu Options
Variable Types

Context menu options

Item	Shortcut	Description
Inspect	N/A	This command is available for fields, local variables and reference expressions, and opens a non-modal Inspection window, where you can concentrate on a particular reference. You can open as many Inspection windows as required. The view in the Inspection window is the same as in the Watches pane, but requires less screen space.
Mark Object	`F11`	Use this command to add an object label.
Set Value	`F2`	Use this command to change the runtime value of a field or a variable.
Copy Value	`Ctrl+C`	Use this command to copy the value of the selected variable to the Clipboard. If multiple items are selected, not only variables' values, but also their structure is copied, so that when you copy-paste the selection to a text file, the indentation mimics the tree output of the debugger to produce an easy-to-read output. Alternatively, hover your mouse cursor over a value and view its contents in the tooltip.
Copy Value As	N/A	This menu item is available only in the PHP context. Choose this command to copy the selected variable to the Clipboard in one of the following formats: print_r var_export json_encode
Copy JSON		This menu item is available only in the JavaScript context. Choose this command to copy the selected value in the JSON format.
Compare Value with Clipboard	N/A	Use this command to compare the selected value with the value currently in the Clipboard.
Copy Name	N/A	Use this command to copy the name of the selected variable to the Clipboard.
Evaluate Expression	`Alt+F8`	Use this command to evaluate the selected variable in the dialog that opens.
Evaluate In Console	N/A	The option is available in the JavaScript context only. Choose this option to have the selected variable copied as input in the Console pane. When you switch to the Console pane, the variable name is shown as input (`<`) and its value is marked with `>`. Alternatively you can type the name of any variable in the Console manually and press `Enter` to have its value displayed. To evaluate a previously evaluated variable without searching for it in the Variables pane, find the variable in question using the Up and Down arrows on you keyboard and press `Enter`.
Add to Watches	N/A	This command is available for all nodes except static ones. Use this command to create an expression that references the node and add this expression to the Watches pane.
Show Referring Objects	N/A	Use this command to display a list of objects referring to the currently selected variable.
Jump to Source	`F4`	This command opens the source code of the selected variable or field in the editor and places the caret in the corresponding line.
Jump to Type Source	`Shift+F4`	Use this command to open the source code of the selected variable or field type in the editor.