> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docsautomator.co/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Hidden Values

> Use values as conditions or triggers without displaying them in documents

Hidden values enable you to set placeholders to "Always hide" for use as conditions in sections or as recipient email addresses without rendering the value in the document.

<Frame>
  <iframe width="100%" height="400" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lHVpOXjQsU8" title="Hidden Values Overview" frameBorder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowFullScreen />
</Frame>

## Key Features

* **Conditional Usage**: Apply hidden values as conditions for sections
* **Email Recipients**: Use hidden values as recipient addresses without displaying them
* **Document Clean**: Values remain invisible in final output while still functional

## Use Cases

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Section Visibility Logic" icon="code-branch">
    Control which document sections appear based on hidden field values
  </Card>

  <Card title="Dynamic Email Routing" icon="envelope">
    Route generated documents to different recipients based on hidden data fields
  </Card>

  <Card title="Backend Processing" icon="gears">
    Store metadata or calculation results needed for automation but not for document display
  </Card>

  <Card title="Conditional Logic" icon="filter">
    Use values to trigger other features without showing them
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Example

You have a field `{{account_manager_email}}` that you want to use for sending the document but don't want it visible in the document itself:

1. Map the `account_manager_email` placeholder to your data source
2. Enable "Always hide" in the placeholder settings
3. Use the placeholder value in your email configuration
4. The email will be sent to that address, but it won't appear in the document

## Enabling Hidden Values

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Placeholder Settings">
    Click the gear/settings icon next to the placeholder
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable Always Hide">
    Toggle on "Always hide" option
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Usage">
    Use the placeholder in sections, email settings, or other features
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Related Features

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Send Email" icon="envelope" href="/features/actions-after-document-generation/send-email">
    Use hidden values for email personalization and routing
  </Card>

  <Card title="Conditional Show/Hide" icon="eye" href="/features/advanced-placeholder-options/conditional-show-hide">
    Conditionally show/hide based on values
  </Card>

  <Card title="Sections" icon="square-dashed" href="/features/sections">
    Control section visibility with conditions
  </Card>
</CardGroup>