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| description: A node is an entry point for retrieving data, a function to process data, or an exit for sending data. |
| contentType: howto |
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| # Nodes |
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| [Nodes](/glossary.md#node-n8n) are the key building blocks of a [workflow](/glossary.md#workflow-n8n). They perform a range of actions, including: |
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| * Starting the workflow. |
| * Fetching and sending data. |
| * Processing and manipulating data. |
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| n8n provides a collection of built-in nodes, as well as the ability to create your own nodes. Refer to: |
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| * [Built-in integrations](/integrations/builtin/node-types.md) to browse the node library. |
| * [Community nodes](/integrations/community-nodes/installation/index.md) for guidance on finding and installing community-created nodes. |
| * [Creating nodes](/integrations/creating-nodes/overview.md) to start building your own nodes. |
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| ## Add a node to your workflow |
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| ### Add a node to an empty workflow |
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| 1. Select **Add first step**. n8n opens the nodes panel, where you can search or browse [trigger nodes](/glossary.md#trigger-node-n8n). |
| 2. Select the trigger you want to use. |
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| /// note | Choose the correct app event |
| If you select **On App Event**, n8n shows a list of all the supported services. Use this list to browse n8n's integrations and trigger a workflow in response to an event in your chosen service. Not all integrations have triggers. To see which ones you can use as a trigger, select the node. If a trigger is available, you'll see it at the top of the available operations list. |
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| For example, this is the trigger for Asana: |
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|  |
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| ### Add a node to an existing workflow |
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| Select the **Add node** <span class="inline-image">{.off-glb}</span> connector. n8n opens the nodes panel, where you can search or browse all nodes. |
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| --8<-- "_snippets/integrations/builtin/node-operations.md" |
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| ## Node controls |
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| To view node controls, hover over the node on the canvas: |
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| * **Execute step** <span class="inline-image">{.off-glb}</span>: Run the node. |
| * **Deactivate** <span class="inline-image">{.off-glb}</span>: Deactivate the node. |
| * **Delete** <span class="inline-image">{.off-glb}</span>: Delete the node. |
| * **Node context menu** <span class="inline-image">{.off-glb}</span>: Select node actions. Available actions: |
| * Open node |
| * Execute step |
| * Rename node |
| * Deactivate node |
| * Pin node |
| * Copy node |
| * Duplicate node |
| * Select all |
| * Clear selection |
| * Delete node |
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| ## Node settings |
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| The node settings under the **Settings** tab allow you to control node behaviors and add node notes. |
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| When active or set, they do the following: |
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| * **Request Options**: Select **Add Option** to view and select these options. |
| - **Batching**: Control how to batch large numbers of input items. |
| - **Ignore SSL Issues**: Download the response even if SSL validation isn't possible. |
| - **Proxy**: Use this if you need to specify an HTTP proxy. |
| - **Timeout**: Set a timeout for the request in ms. |
| * **Always Output Data**: The node returns an empty item even if the node returns no data during execution. Be careful setting this on IF nodes, as it could cause an infinite loop. |
| * **Execute Once**: The node executes once, with data from the first item it receives. It doesn't process any extra items. |
| * **Retry On Fail**: When an execution fails, the node reruns until it succeeds. |
| * **On Error**: |
| - **Stop Workflow**: Halts the entire workflow when an error occurs, preventing further node execution. |
| - **Continue**: Proceeds to the next node despite the error, using the last valid data. |
| - **Continue (using error output)**: Continues workflow execution, passing error information to the next node for potential handling. |
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| You can document your workflow using node notes: |
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| * **Notes**: Note to save with the node. |
| * **Display note in flow**: If active, n8n displays the note in the workflow as a subtitle. |
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