# playbooks and hosts variables **URL:** \ **Category:** Ansible Project\ **Tags:** vmware\ **Created:** [May 4, 2021, 3:47pm UTC](https://forum.ansible.com/t/playbooks-and-hosts-variables/35111 "2021-05-04T15:47:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rene\_Paquin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e9a140/32.png) [@Rene\_Paquin](https://forum.ansible.com/u/Rene_Paquin)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2021, 3:47pm UTC](https://forum.ansible.com/t/playbooks-and-hosts-variables/35111/1 "2021-05-04T15:47:43Z")
I have a created a set of playbooks to deploy a server from a template in vmware. I have to admit this works great. The only changes I need to make are a few variables in a vars file and the hosts file. My question is in regarding the hosts file. Is it possible to use variables within the hosts file so that I only have to make changes in just my vars file or do I always have to modify the hosts file to add the ip address of the server for further configuration in some of the playbooks. I have tried a couple of things but unsuccessful. Thanks, ---
**Author:** ![racke](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/ansible/user_avatar/forum.ansible.com/racke/32/4767_2.png) [@racke](https://forum.ansible.com/u/racke)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2021, 4:17pm UTC](https://forum.ansible.com/t/playbooks-and-hosts-variables/35111/2 "2021-05-04T16:17:47Z")
> I have a created a set of playbooks to deploy a server from a template in vmware. I have to admit this works great. > The only changes I need to make are a few variables in a vars file and the hosts file. My question is in regarding the > hosts file. Is it possible to use variables within the hosts file so that I only have to make changes in just my vars > file or do I always have to modify the hosts file to add the ip address of the server for further configuration in some > of the playbooks. I have tried a couple of things but unsuccessful. Hello Rene, which hosts file are you referring to? Regards         Racke