# Exploration & discovery

Before variables can be used in the ENLYZE Platform, they must first be found and released for exploration. Depending on the protocol, this happens automatically or manually.

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What Variable Discovery is and which protocols support it is explained under [Data sources (Concepts)](/en/concepts/understanding-machine-data/data-sources.md).
{% endhint %}

## Variable Discovery

For data sources that support Variable Discovery (e.g. S7+, OPC-UA, OPC-DA, Beckhoff ADS), the Edge Device automatically queries the available variables and registers them in the ENLYZE Manufacturing Data Platform.

The discovered variables appear with status **Inactive** in the variable table of the corresponding machine.

## Manual registration

If a data source is connected via a protocol without Variable Discovery (e.g. S7 Classic, Modbus), variables must be registered manually. This typically requires supporting materials such as project files or data sheets.

More on manual registration can be found under [Data sources](/en/model/data-sources.md).

## Release variables for exploration

Once variables are registered in the platform, you can release them for exploration:

1. Navigate to **Settings > Machines** and open the **Selection** section of the relevant machine.
2. Use the variable table to find inactive variables.
3. Select the desired variables and click **Explore** to move them to exploration status.

A detailed guide with filter options can be found under [Contextualisation](/en/variable-mapping/contextualisation.md#from-inactive-to-exploration-searching-for-variables).

## Related topics

* [Contextualisation](/en/variable-mapping/contextualisation.md): Explore, name, and activate variables.
* [Data sources (Concepts)](/en/concepts/understanding-machine-data/data-sources.md): Background on data sources and Variable Discovery.
* [Variables & time series (Concepts)](/en/concepts/understanding-machine-data/variables-and-time-series.md): What variables and time series are.


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