DMG Forge
ArticlesUnity TipsGamesAssets WIPCoursesAbout
ArticlesUnity TipsGamesAssets WIPCoursesAboutFree resources
LV 10 XP
Free resources
Now building:Me and M.A.X

DMG Forge

Unity tips, articles, assets, and devlogs for creators who want to build and finish.

AchievementsSavedSkill treePrivacy

Unity Tips

Jul 25, 2026 · 1 min read · dmg dekels

Rename Serialized Variables Without Losing Inspector Data

Renaming a `public` or `[SerializeField]` variable normally breaks Unity’s serialization, resetting Inspector values back to defaults.

#Programming

The Tip: Renaming a `public` or `[SerializeField]` variable normally breaks Unity’s serialization, resetting Inspector values back to defaults.

How to Use: Add the `[FormerlySerializedAs]` attribute above the variable referencing the old parameter name. Once Unity updates and saves the serialized data in the Editor, the attribute can safely be removed.

```csharp
using UnityEngine;
using UnityEngine.Serialization;

public class PlayerController : MonoBehaviour
{
    [FormerlySerializedAs("playerSpeed")]
    [SerializeField] private float moveSpeed = 5.0f;
}

Article complete

XP lands automatically when you reach the end.

Rate this article

Comments

Comments are held for moderation before appearing publicly.

Author

Ddmg dekelsUnity creator & indie dev guide

Related articles

Unity Dev Tools Workflow Templates: Build Faster With Proven PatternsUnity Dev Tools Training and Certification Paths: A Technical Professional's GuideUnity Dev Tools Hiring Guide and Interview Questions: What to Ask and Why It Matters