What purpose does the initial value of a variable serve during workbook access?

The initial value of a variable serves as a default filter setting during workbook access. When a workbook is opened, any variables that have been assigned an initial value will load with that value, allowing users to see a predefined state that the author intended for them. This is particularly useful in scenarios where a specific filter is necessary to focus on relevant data right from the start, enhancing the user experience by providing immediate context and relevance.

Using initial values this way can streamline interactions, guiding users toward meaningful data streams without needing to set filters manually every time they access the workbook. This can significantly improve the efficiency in data analysis processes and allows for quicker decision-making.