---
url: >-
  /statelake/scripting-reference/functions-and-procedures/variant-functions/vartostr.md
---

# VarToStr

**VarToStr** converts a **variant** type variable or field **V**, to a **string**.

If the **variant** is null (has a vartype of 1), then it will return a blank string.

Whereas a **string** variable containing text returns a vartype of 258, a **variant** that contains text returns a vartype of 256, so the two variable types are considered to be different and unique.

Unicode characters are handled with ease.

Please also review [TVarType](/statelake/scripting-reference/data-types/enumerations/tvartype) for more information.

This function is more commonly used with **variant** type variables, rather than fields. However, when accessing fields, you can achieve the same thing by using the Field Class object **FieldAsString** property.

Please also review [VarToStrDef](/statelake/scripting-reference/functions-and-procedures/variant-functions/vartostrdef) for an alternative function.

**Declaration**: Function VarToStr(const V : Variant) : string

An example.

```pascal
procedure OnMapEvent(var Value:Variant);
begin
  Value := VarToStr(Field.Value);
end;
```

The function can also be responsible for changing the **VarType** as illustrated in the sample code that follows - from 256 to 258.

```pascal
procedure ScriptEvent (var Value : variant);
var
  aVar, dVar : variant;
  bVar, cVar : string;
begin
  LogInfo('');

 //VARIANT variable containing text returns VarType of 256
  aVar := 'Hello there';
  LogInfo('VARIANT variable with TEXT aVar = '+IntToStr(VarType(aVar)));
  LogInfo('');

 //STRING variable containing text returns VarType of 258
  bVar := 'What is up?';
  LogInfo('STRING variable with TEXT bVar = '+IntToStr(VarType(bVar)));
  LogInfo('');

 //STRING variable used to convert into returns VarType of 258
  cVar := VarToStr(aVar);
  LogInfo('Converted VAR->STR variable with TEXT into STR variable cVar = '+IntToStr(VarType(cVar)));
  LogInfo('');

 //VARIANT variable used to convert into returns VarType of 258
 //So the variable VarType is actually altered from 256 to 258
  dVar := VarToStr(aVar);
  LogInfo('Converted VAR->STR variable with TEXT into VAR variable dVar = '+IntToStr(VarType(dVar)));
  LogInfo('');

 end;
```