diff --git a/api/custom_functions_you_can_override.lua b/api/custom_functions_you_can_override.lua
index 1e69a32..e2764f0 100644
--- a/api/custom_functions_you_can_override.lua
+++ b/api/custom_functions_you_can_override.lua
@@ -24,6 +24,30 @@ yl_speak_up.replace_vars_in_text = function(text, dialog, pname)
 		PLAYER_NAME = pname,
 	}
 
+	-- only try to replace variables if there are variables inside the text
+	if(string.find(text, "$VAR ")) then
+		local varlist = yl_speak_up.get_quest_variables(dialog.npc_owner, true)
+		for i,v in ipairs(varlist) do
+			local v_name = string.sub(v, 3)
+			-- only allow to replace unproblematic variable names
+			if(not(string.find(v_name, "[^%w^%s^_^%-^%.]"))) then
+				-- remove leading $ from   $ var_owner_name var_name
+				subs["VAR "..v_name] = yl_speak_up.get_quest_variable_value(dialog.npc_owner, v) or "- not set -"
+			end
+		end
+	end
+
+	-- only replace properties if any properties are used inside the text
+	if(string.find(text, "$PROP ")) then
+		local properties = yl_speak_up.get_npc_properties(pname)
+		for k,v in pairs(properties) do
+			-- only allow to replace unproblematic property names
+			if(not(string.find(k, "[^%w^%s^_^%-^%.]"))) then
+				subs["PROP "..k] = v
+			end
+		end
+	end
+
 	local day_time_name = "day"
 	local day_time = minetest.get_timeofday()
 	if(day_time < 0.5) then
@@ -41,7 +65,9 @@ yl_speak_up.replace_vars_in_text = function(text, dialog, pname)
 	-- substitutions in it using substring captured by "()" in
 	-- pattern. "[%a_]+" means one or more letter or underscore.
 	-- If lookup returns nil, then no substitution is made.
-	text = string.gsub(text or "", "%$([%a_]+)%$", subs)
+	-- Note: Names of variables may contain alphanumeric signs, spaces, "_", "-" and ".".
+	--       Variables with other names cannot be replaced.
+	text = string.gsub(text or "", "%$([%w%s_%-%.]+)%$", subs)
 
 	return text
 end
diff --git a/readme.md b/readme.md
index 478aa4f..56ffdca 100644
--- a/readme.md
+++ b/readme.md
@@ -254,6 +254,15 @@ The replacements will not be applied in edit mode.
 
 Servers can define [additional custom replacements](#add-simple-variables).
 
+It is also possible to insert the *value* of variables into the text. Only variables the owner of the NPC has read access to can be replaced. Example: The variable "Example Variable Nr. 3" (without blanks would be a better name, i.e. "example\_variable\_nr\_3"), created by "exampleplayer", could be inserted by inserting the following text into dialog texts and options:
+    $VAR exampleplayer Example Variable Nr. 3$ 
+It will be replaced by the *value* that variable has for the player that is talking to the NPC.
+
+Properties can be replaced in a similar way. The value of the property "job" of the NPC for example could thus be shown:
+    $PROP job$
+
+Variables and properties can only be replaced if their *name* contains only alphanumeric signs (a-z, A-Z, 0-9), spaces, "\_", "-" and/or ".".
+
 
 ### 1.8 Alternate Text
 <a name="alternate_text"></a>