In the Pentaho Data Integration (PDI) Spoon client, free-form text fields that support variable substitution are marked with a small icon, typically a green or grey diamond containing a dollar sign ($). This visual cue indicates that you can use the ${VARIABLENAME} or %%VARIABLENAME%% syntax. Additionally, pressing CTRL+SPACE within these fields usually displays a list of available variables for insertion. The symbols listed in the options (V, @, ') are not the standard indicators used in the PDI interface for this purpose.

A. A "V" symbol is not the standard PDI UI indicator for a variable-enabled field.

B. An "@" symbol is not the standard PDI UI indicator for a variable-enabled field.

C. A "'" (single quote) symbol is not the standard PDI UI indicator for a variable-enabled field.

D. Using all caps is a common naming convention for variables, not a UI marker on a field indicating its capability to accept variables.

1. Hitachi Vantara Official Documentation

Pentaho 9.3

"Use Variables in Steps and Entries": This official guide specifies the correct indicator. It states

"Many text boxes in step and entry dialog boxes have a key combination shortcut

CTRL-SPACE

that you can use to select from a list of available variables. Text boxes that have this feature are marked with a small

green diamond-shaped icon with a dollar sign in it."

2. Hitachi Vantara Official Documentation

Pentaho 9.3

"PDI steps and entries reference": In the documentation for numerous steps

such as the "Text file input" or "Table input" steps

screenshots of the dialog boxes consistently show the dollar sign ($) icon next to fields that accept variables (e.g.

the "File or directory" field or SQL query text areas). This provides visual confirmation of the correct UI element.