# The export builtin command

## Synopsis

    export [-fn] [NAME[=VALUE] ...]
    export -p

## Description

The `export` builtin command is used to mark variables or functions
referenced by `NAME` for automatic export to the environment. If `NAME`
is a shell variable, a value `VALUE` can be assigned before exporting
it.

### Options

| Option | Description                                                                                                |
|:-------|:-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| `-f`   | refer to shell functions                                                                                   |
| `-n`   | remove the export property from any referenced `NAME`                                                      |
| `-p`   | print all exported variables, with `-f`, print all exported functions - all in a format re-usable as input |

An argument of `--` disables further option processing.

### Return status

| Status | Reason                    |
|:-------|:--------------------------|
| 0      | no error                  |
| !=0    | invalid option            |
| !=0    | a given `NAME` is invalid |

## Examples

Set the display to use when launching a GUI application (useful during
SSH sessions):

    export DISPLAY=":0"

Set your default text editor (e.g. SublimeText):

    export EDITOR=subl

## Portability considerations

- in POSIX(r), only the `-p` option is specified
- in POSIX(r), only variables (with value assignment) are to be
  exported, not shell functions

## See also

- [declare](/commands/builtin/declare)