hello,

here is an example of my problem:
I have a file index.jsp, and within that file I have

<% String PageName = "Home"; %>
<jsp:include page="menu.jsp" />

Now I would like to have access to the PageName variable within menu.jsp so i can do things like

<%= PageName %>
in menu.jsp but as it stands now the variable is not passed to the included file.

how can i do this?

I don't know about the specific language that you are using as you haven't stated what is is.
but here's how we would do it in shell
by exporting the variable we make it possible for other apps or in this case pages to read it and use the variable.
if you give me the name of the programing language then mabey I can help a bit more by getting you the equivalent of the shell.
the only downside is that usually when you make a variable available to the other page or program is that it is also available to other programs that may be attempting to do something malicious and with web pages this can mean that hackers can exploit this.
but as i say I can probably find you a safe equivalent if you give me the name of the language that you are using.
Edit:
future note when asking for help state the language other wise it makes it very difficult for us to point you in the direction of someone who can help if the replier cannot.

Sorry, I guess I was not clear enough. The language is JSP as stated in the title, and then 5 times in the message.

Try the include directive instead of the include action:

Sorry, I guess I was not clear enough. I don't do abbreviations if you had said JavaServer Pages I may have known which language you are on about jsp is not an abbreviation I would know about as I don't deal with web pages.

On the more helpful , friendly "I am here as someone to help!" side of things, that is not someone who is here to argue about little things I.E. what is a file extension/type and what is a language name.

Maybe you should try here.it looks relevant about mid page they use an import. and cover using frontends and backends to get things done in a professional manor.
I think it will help as they seem to do exactly what you are trying to do. however I have no knowledge of this language and so am uncertain if this is exactly the same but I am sure you will know when you see it if it is or not.