Node parameters

Most nodes in a flow can reference fields from previous nodes — including AWS, Google Cloud, and DoiT action nodes, and many others. This page describes the kinds of parameters you configure on a node, the field types you may see, and how to reference values from previous nodes in the flow.

Parameter types

Parameters can be one of the following:

Single value: One value per field — string, number (integer or float), boolean, or timestamp. You enter a value or reference one from a previous node.
List: An array of items, such as tags, regions, or filters. You can reference an entire list from another node or add items individually (or both).
Map: Key-value pairs (for example, tags or labels). You can reference a full map or structure from another node or add entries manually (or both).
Structure: A nested object with fixed field names (for example, a resource with name, id, and tag). You must configure each field separately. For each one you can enter a value or use the + button to reference a value from a previous node. In other words, you cannot reference the whole structure, you must reference individual fields.

Referencing fields

Many nodes can use parameter values from elsewhere in the flow. Use the + button or @ to open the picker and browse or search to find the field you need.

Referencing a field means choosing a path into data from the trigger node, variables, or upstream nodes. At run time, CloudFlow replaces each reference with the live value from that path.

Depending on the parameter type, you may reference a single value, a whole list or map, or one entry at a time. Inserted references appear as highlighted references. You can use a node’s Output (what it produced) or its Input (what it was given). See Output vs input.

Reference a single value

Use the + button next to a parameter to pick a field from a previous node's output or input. The selected value is used when the flow runs. This works for single-value fields and for individual items or entries inside list, map, and structure parameters.

In parameters that accept both text and references (for example, a notification message, HTTP request body, or email subject), you can also type @ to open the reference picker and insert a reference. References are inserted inline. You can continue adding text and further references to the same field.

Reference a whole list

When a parameter expects a list, you have two options: reference the entire list from a previous node, or reference individual items from the list.

In the field where you want to reference a list from a previous node, select the + button.
Choose where the list comes from: Variables (if your flow has variables), the trigger (e.g. Schedule or Manual trigger), or a node earlier in the flow (by its node name).

If you want to reference the entire list, no additional mapping is required.
Select the list.

If you want to reference the entire list, no additional mapping is required.

If you want to reference individual items, expand the list and then choose the individual items you wish to include.
(Optional) Add more items manually below. At runtime, those items are appended after the referenced list.

Reference a whole map or structure

When a parameter expects a map (key-value pairs), you can reference a full map or structure from a previous node, or add key-value entries and reference or enter each value. The map parameter shows a first entry at the top for the whole-map reference; below it you can add more key-value entries.

In the field where you want to reference a map or structure from a previous node, select the + button.
Choose where the map or structure comes from: Variables (if your flow has variables), the trigger (e.g. Schedule or Manual trigger), or a node earlier in the flow (by its node name) and then, select the map or structure field to reference.
(Optional) If the parameter allows it, you can add more key-value pairs in addition to the referenced map. At runtime, the referenced map or structure is merged with any manual entries you add. If the same key exists in both, the manually added key-value pair overrides the referenced value.

Highlighted references

When you insert a reference to a field with the + button or @, the referenced field appears as a highlighted reference with a label such as the upstream node’s step and name and a field path (nested fields are separated by dots).

These are dynamic references. When the flow runs, each reference is resolved to the value from the path shown, for example, data from the trigger, a variable, or a previous node’s output or input (see Output vs input). Plain text in the same field is left as you typed it.

CloudFlow referenced text

Tooltips: If the label is truncated, hover the reference to see the full path. For some variable references, hover may show the variable’s current value.
Removing a reference: Use X to remove a reference without affecting surrounding text.
Lists: In parameters that expect lists, referenced list items may appear in a bracketed form. See HTTP node.

Output vs input

When you reference a previous node, you choose whether to use that node's output or its input:

Output: The result that the node produced when it ran, for example, the API response (IDs, lists, status, and so on). Use this when you need data that came from running the node.
Input: The exact values the node sent when it ran. These are the final resolved parameter values from the node's Parameters tab after references are evaluated. Use this when you need to reuse what another node actually received (for example, the list of regions that the previous node used).

Both options appear when you pick a source node with the + button. Choose the one that holds the data you need.

Parameter types​

Referencing fields​

Reference a single value​

Reference a whole list​

Reference a whole map or structure​

Highlighted references​

Output vs input​

See also​