# Helmut Encrypted Variable ?

The Helmut encrypted variable wildcard must be used whenever an [encrypted variable](https://docs.helmut.de/helmut4-releases/v4.11.0/helmut4-components/helmutfx/preferences/encrypted-variables) is referenced. 

This wildcard resolves the hashed value to its actual value while ensuring that the real value can neither be viewed nor retrieved in any stream or debug log.

<figure><img src="https://3348947421-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FMDOObhR5m91Ea2DZ1Pfu%2Fuploads%2F7xl8DG1KUh0CwKjhIE4M%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=94220aac-9d4e-40cb-8a76-804e4edacb43" alt=""><figcaption><p>The actual is ABCD ... WXYZ</p></figcaption></figure>