Skip to main content
Any config field can read from an upstream node’s output using a reference wrapped in double curly braces: 
{{node_id.path.to.field}}
The first segment is the upstream node’s ID; the rest navigates into that node’s output.

​
Reference patterns

ReferenceResolves to
{{node-1}}The node’s entire output
{{node-1.message}}The message field of the output
{{node-1.user.name}}A nested field
{{node-1.items[0].title}}The title of the first array item
{{node-1.items[].title}}A list of every item’s title
When a field contains exactly one reference, the value keeps its original type (object, list, number). When a reference sits inside other text, like Hello {{node-1.user.name}}!, it is converted to a string.

​
Dragging references

The easiest way to build a reference is to not type it at all:
1

Produce some output

Run the upstream node once (or give it a mocked output).
2

Open its Output panel

Select the upstream node and click Output (Y) in the config panel.
3

Drag a value

Grab any value in the output and drop it onto a config field. The correct reference is inserted as a chip.
Dragging an output field into a config field
You can also type {{ in any text field to get autocomplete suggestions built from the connected nodes’ actual output.

​
Inline expressions

When you need to transform a value, not just read it, write a JavaScript expression inside {{ }} using $-accessors. The expression runs in a sandbox at execution time and its result is substituted into the field. No separate code node needed for basic string or number work.
AccessorReads
$('node-1')another node’s whole output (use the node’s id, or its label: $('My Sheet'))
$varsworkflow variables, e.g. $vars.api_base
$jsonthe single upstream node’s output flowing into this node
Because it’s JavaScript, you get the full language: 
{{ $('form').emails.split(",")[0].trim() }}
{{ $('sheet').rows.map(r => r.email).join(", ") }}
{{ $vars.threshold * 2 }}
{{ $('user').age > 18 ? "adult" : "minor" }}
Hi {{ $('user').name.toUpperCase() }}!
Two small helpers are also available: $if(condition, a, b) and $ifEmpty(value, fallback). When the whole field is a single expression, the result keeps its type (number, list, object). When an expression sits inside other text, the result is converted to a string, the same rule as plain references. The easiest way to build one is to drag a value from a node’s Output panel into a field, which inserts the $('node-1').field form, then add your transform (.split(","), * 2, …). While the field holds an expression, a live preview under it shows the computed result against the connected nodes’ latest output, and one-click chips insert the available accessors.
Plain references like {{node-1.message}} keep working exactly as before. An expression is only evaluated when the {{ }} uses a $-accessor, so literal {{name}} placeholders meant for a downstream system still pass through untouched.

​
Common mistake: .output. in the path

References navigate the node’s output directly, so do not insert an output segment: 
{{node-1.message}}          ✓ correct
{{node-1.output.message}}   ✗ looks for a literal "output" key and resolves to nothing
Dragged and autocompleted references always use the correct form.
Workflow variables are available under the reserved vars ID, e.g. {{vars.api_base}}. See Variables and state.