# Show variable on button in place of energy **URL:** \ **Category:** Ideas & Suggestions\ **Created:** [August 24, 2022, 11:07am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/show-variable-on-button-in-place-of-energy/67842 "2022-08-24T11:07:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Marc\_Jurriens](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/marc_jurriens/32/11951_2.png) [@Marc\_Jurriens](https://community.homey.app/u/Marc_Jurriens)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2022, 11:07am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/show-variable-on-button-in-place-of-energy/67842/1 "2022-08-24T11:07:39Z")
Would love to see the possibility to place a variable or tag on a button in the app (in the place of the energy usage). This would make it tremendously easy to see in what phase / what step a device is under influence of a flow. Making energy usage not visible here should be not a big issue since we have a seperate tab just for that. ---
**Author:** ![Arie\_J\_Godschalk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/arie_j_godschalk/32/63027_2.png) [@Arie\_J\_Godschalk](https://community.homey.app/u/Arie_J_Godschalk)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2022, 11:16am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/show-variable-on-button-in-place-of-energy/67842/2 "2022-08-24T11:16:51Z")
You could create a virtual device and set the capabilityValue through HomeyScript. I dont think there is any way to realise this with existing devices, since it would need a capability that you can set without it doing something. Is the option for a seperate (virtual) device an option for you? If so i can add it to my Device Capability App (implementing it now, will be in test in a few moments). ---
**Author:** ![Arie\_J\_Godschalk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/arie_j_godschalk/32/63027_2.png) [@Arie\_J\_Godschalk](https://community.homey.app/u/Arie_J_Godschalk)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2022, 12:54pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/show-variable-on-button-in-place-of-energy/67842/3 "2022-08-24T12:54:02Z")
I have just put Device Capabilities 1.5.0 to Test [Device Capabilities | Homey](https://homey.app/a/nl.qluster-it.DeviceCapabilities/test/). You can create a Virtual Device, set how many fields you need in the settings of the device and then set the value through flowcards: ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/c/0/c0332df4a7046f51b3b4f934214be70162e926f6.png) Create device ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/9/f/9f39fa017a83274ed3eaf2019f6685dc22c99d43.png) Set settings ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/f/d/fd4d266da1dd6f153f657272b778d438a1ce4397.png) Use a flowcard. Capability is set: ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/3/3/33be8adc33b55eed83592e5a29af67eea6b52460.png) ---
**Author:** ![Marc\_Jurriens](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/marc_jurriens/32/11951_2.png) [@Marc\_Jurriens](https://community.homey.app/u/Marc_Jurriens)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2022, 2:09pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/show-variable-on-button-in-place-of-energy/67842/4 "2022-08-24T14:09:26Z")
Does this result in the possibility to show such field on the button of a device ? ---
**Author:** ![JPe4619](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/jpe4619/32/9017_2.png) [@JPe4619](https://community.homey.app/u/JPe4619)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2022, 2:31pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/show-variable-on-button-in-place-of-energy/67842/5 "2022-08-24T14:31:37Z")
> [@Arie\_J\_Godschalk](#): > > You can create a Virtual Device, set how many fields you need i thats good, unfortunaly it is not possible to show one (or more) of the fields in the icon.(status indicator) ---
**Author:** ![Marc\_Jurriens](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/marc_jurriens/32/11951_2.png) [@Marc\_Jurriens](https://community.homey.app/u/Marc_Jurriens)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2022, 2:43pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/show-variable-on-button-in-place-of-energy/67842/6 "2022-08-24T14:43:13Z")
And exactly this is what I would like to do… Not something that can be done by an app I expect which is why I posted it here… ---
**Author:** ![JPe4619](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/jpe4619/32/9017_2.png) [@JPe4619](https://community.homey.app/u/JPe4619)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2022, 2:52pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/show-variable-on-button-in-place-of-energy/67842/7 "2022-08-24T14:52:09Z")
> [@Marc\_Jurriens](#): > > why I posted it here… Thats why I tested it, probably it will be added by @Arie_J_Godschalk if possible. ---
**Author:** ![Arie\_J\_Godschalk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/arie_j_godschalk/32/63027_2.png) [@Arie\_J\_Godschalk](https://community.homey.app/u/Arie_J_Godschalk)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2022, 2:57pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/show-variable-on-button-in-place-of-energy/67842/8 "2022-08-24T14:57:38Z")
I can create that for a number or a yes/no, but not for text. ---
**Author:** ![Arie\_J\_Godschalk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/arie_j_godschalk/32/63027_2.png) [@Arie\_J\_Godschalk](https://community.homey.app/u/Arie_J_Godschalk)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2022, 3:09pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/show-variable-on-button-in-place-of-energy/67842/9 "2022-08-24T15:09:54Z")
I have updated Test to 1.5.1, now able to select the number or boolean as status indicator in small Icon or Mobile app. ---
**Author:** ![Arie\_J\_Godschalk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/arie_j_godschalk/32/63027_2.png) [@Arie\_J\_Godschalk](https://community.homey.app/u/Arie_J_Godschalk)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2022, 3:26pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/show-variable-on-button-in-place-of-energy/67842/10 "2022-08-24T15:26:29Z")
Meaning, yes, you can use this to show the status of a flow, but i guess you have to do that numerical. I, indeed, cannot make the Text available in Small Icon/Mobile form. btw, adding Button option right now, so the button can be used for flows and there responses. * * * Added: Buttons (can be set through settings) can be added, so you can use it as a push button for flows. ---
**Author:** ![Marc\_Jurriens](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/marc_jurriens/32/11951_2.png) [@Marc\_Jurriens](https://community.homey.app/u/Marc_Jurriens)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2022, 4:11pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/show-variable-on-button-in-place-of-energy/67842/11 "2022-08-24T16:11:01Z")
Wauw. I will be sure to test that, numerical status is fine for me ! ---
**Author:** ![Arie\_J\_Godschalk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/arie_j_godschalk/32/63027_2.png) [@Arie\_J\_Godschalk](https://community.homey.app/u/Arie_J_Godschalk)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2022, 4:44pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/show-variable-on-button-in-place-of-energy/67842/12 "2022-08-24T16:44:12Z")
Looks like i found a solution for text also! Ill let it know! ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Kawa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/peter_kawa/32/173848_2.png) [@Peter\_Kawa](https://community.homey.app/u/Peter_Kawa)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2022, 4:55pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/show-variable-on-button-in-place-of-energy/67842/13 "2022-08-24T16:55:53Z")
> [@Arie\_J\_Godschalk](#): > > Looks like i found a solution for text also That would be a real break through, Arie! ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Kawa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/peter_kawa/32/173848_2.png) [@Peter\_Kawa](https://community.homey.app/u/Peter_Kawa)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2022, 4:57pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/show-variable-on-button-in-place-of-energy/67842/14 "2022-08-24T16:57:01Z")
> ![Screenshot_20220824-185434_Homey](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/0/b/0b71e6502600ed8eafa6e41bb430c44caa565074.jpeg) ![Screenshot_20220824-185653_Homey](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/c/1/c15c417446e73e4340a02041a78c5af6a55850da.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Arie\_J\_Godschalk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/arie_j_godschalk/32/63027_2.png) [@Arie\_J\_Godschalk](https://community.homey.app/u/Arie_J_Godschalk)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2022, 5:16pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/show-variable-on-button-in-place-of-energy/67842/15 "2022-08-24T17:16:02Z")
Update to version 1.5.3. Delete the device and recreate it (i changed to much ;)) Then set the status indicator to status. Then you can set the status through a new actioncard: ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/5/4/5478aaf62ac84f80acbbcc051bc9101e997ebe4b.png) ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/1/5/1519e189e9cf71aab1675224afd506903c0c33b0.png) The Zero (0) is needed to function correctly in the Mobile App. ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/e/0/e08ce3ffcd89442254fa6be6ca94022bf84517f6.png) ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/3/f/3f6afeff42c71976bdc0932b1d6e59588ff0a99f.png) Also, the mobile app doesn’t update correctly always: maybe we need a ticket for support from Athom. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Kawa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/peter_kawa/32/173848_2.png) [@Peter\_Kawa](https://community.homey.app/u/Peter_Kawa)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2022, 5:46pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/show-variable-on-button-in-place-of-energy/67842/16 "2022-08-24T17:46:12Z")
![Screenshot_20220824-194538_Homey](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/a/b/abea486204a5a047c8fdf4597e7aba687837c7fc.jpeg) ![Screenshot_20220824-194300_Homey~01](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/6/3/63ec76aaecbf324527372935144c03529464fd7d.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![RonnyW](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/ronnyw/32/10879_2.png) [@RonnyW](https://community.homey.app/u/RonnyW)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2022, 6:35pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/show-variable-on-button-in-place-of-energy/67842/17 "2022-08-24T18:35:29Z")
@Arie_J_Godschalk How did you got a text capability showing up in the device tile? As I know this is only possible for numeric capabilities? ---
**Author:** ![Marc\_Jurriens](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/marc_jurriens/32/11951_2.png) [@Marc\_Jurriens](https://community.homey.app/u/Marc_Jurriens)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2022, 7:13pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/show-variable-on-button-in-place-of-energy/67842/18 "2022-08-24T19:13:22Z")
This is really cool… it means i can add a short code to the button for “dishwasher” showing if it is running, cooling down or off…. Will test asap ! ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Kawa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/peter_kawa/32/173848_2.png) [@Peter\_Kawa](https://community.homey.app/u/Peter_Kawa)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2022, 8:34pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/show-variable-on-button-in-place-of-energy/67842/19 "2022-08-24T20:34:32Z")
Really very cool! Some examples: ![Screenshot_20220824-223015_Homey](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/e/b/eb44bcc4291967bba5ab0febb320890e4957ca06.jpeg) ![Screenshot_20220824-222543_Homey](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/4/b/4b418a08abbb807f827aa073b47fe28a2a1ab1fc.jpeg) ![Screenshot_20220824-225312_Homey](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/2/0/20fa715481079e1a5df5e673311a1a1d92a3d2b7.jpeg) ![Screenshot_20220824-225142_Homey](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/0/d/0d37eb7afcbaf6dbd58fa03292eff4c2c38df0e6.jpeg) But, it indeed doesn’t update well yet on it’s own. Closing and opening the app makes it updating: > [@Arie\_J\_Godschalk](#): > > the mobile app doesn’t update correctly always: maybe we need a ticket for support from Athom. ---
**Author:** ![Arie\_J\_Godschalk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/arie_j_godschalk/32/63027_2.png) [@Arie\_J\_Godschalk](https://community.homey.app/u/Arie_J_Godschalk)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2022, 6:20am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/show-variable-on-button-in-place-of-energy/67842/20 "2022-08-25T06:20:54Z")
Or selecting anothere zone/room and go back will also make it update. I will send in a ticket to athom support. But since i am using a nondescript function/ hack to achieve the statustext, im not sure the will hurry to fix it 😉 [Next page](https://community.homey.app/t/show-variable-on-button-in-place-of-energy/67842.md?page=2)