This article describes how the “Input” node works within AI Content Labs and how to configure it to correctly display the fields your flows require. Throughout the document, you’ll see examples of the different input options and how they are displayed in the final form.
What is the Input Node and what is it for?
The Input node is the starting point of a flow. It allows you to create fields (text, options, files, etc.) that a user completes before running a flow. This way, each section of your chain can adapt to what the person initially enters, customizing the output results and setting the necessary values for later use (for example, for a “Prompt” node, “Text to Image” node, or “Web Scraper” node).
Configurations
Node Title and Order
Each Input node requires a unique title (Node Title). This title is used to identify the input in your flow diagram and cannot be repeated. You must also specify an order number (Order in Execution Form) to determine how the fields are displayed in the form:
- A lower number will be displayed first.
- If two inputs have the same number, they will be ordered alphabetically by their title.
Input Types
When configuring an Input node, you’ll see a section called “Field Details” where you select the field type and specify details such as labels, default values, and whether the field is required. The available types are described below:
Text
Useful for any free text input. You can define:
- Label: how it will be displayed in the form.
- Placeholder: guide text within the field.
- Input Max Length: maximum number of characters allowed.
- Default Value: initial value of the field.
- Required: whether the user must complete it.
Multiple Options
Allows you to list options for the user to select one or more, depending on whether you activate “Multiple Selection”. Some configurations:
- Options: each one on a separate line.
- Default Value: the option shown by default.
- Allow Custom Input: if enabled, the user can enter an additional value not listed.
Random
Randomly selects from several options. It is not shown to the user; it simply sends a random value to the next node. This is useful, for example, to vary the structure of a prompt (by selecting “bullets”, “outline”, or “comparison”) and thus generate diverse results.
Predefined
Offers catalogs already established on the platform (e.g. “Google Countries” or “Tone of Voice”). You select the list you need, and then, during execution, those options will appear in a dropdown.
URL
Indicates a field where the user pastes a link. If you enable “Process the URL?”, the platform will summarize or process the content to use it in the flow (for example, in a “Prompt” node to extract data or in “Web Scraper” to examine the page). You can also define how deep the information will be processed and with which model.
Files
Allows file uploads, defining:
- Maximum number of files (Max Files).
- Maximum allowed size (Max File Size).
- File types (Allowed File Types).
This is useful if you plan to use images in an “Image to Image” node or create a video from an image using the “AI Video” node.
Finally, the form groups all the created fields. Below is an example with several types of input configured:
And, in the diagram, each input is displayed as a separate node:
Usage Tips
- Logical Order: Use “Order in Execution Form” to place the fields in the desired sequence, remembering that lower values appear first.
- Random Inputs: With the “Random Selection” option, you can create automatic variations for your prompts (e.g., “literary figure” vs. “table format”), combining it with a “Prompt” node to generate more dynamic texts.
- Multimedia Files: By allowing file uploads, you can easily connect them with nodes such as “Image to Image” (for image transformations) or “AI Video” (for video generation).
- Predefined Values: Save time by selecting options from common catalogs (languages, countries, etc.) to integrate them with services such as “Frase SERP Data” or “NeuronWriter”.
- URL for Scraping or Summarization: When processing a URL, you can pass the result to a “Prompt” or “Web Scraper” node. This way, you obtain specific data without having to copy and paste information manually.
With these settings, you’ll master the Input node and be able to create flexible and adaptable forms, ready to combine with any other element of the flow.
