Using Node Variables

Introduction

Every node in a workflow can produce an output that later nodes reference. You access those outputs by typing {{ in any prompt or message field — the builder shows you what's available and you pick the one you want.

Expanded prompt editor in the workflow builder where you type double-brace variables to reference earlier node outputs

Referencing a Node's Output

To use a previous node's output:

In the field where you want to insert it (a prompt, a Slack message, an email body), type {{.
The builder shows available outputs from nodes that run before this one.
Click the one you want. The reference is inserted as something like {{aiCompletion}} or {{meetings}}.

The list only shows outputs from nodes earlier in the workflow — a node can't reference itself or anything downstream.

Common Node Outputs

Most nodes expose a single named output. The ones you'll reach for most:

AI Completion / Run Prompt nodes — {{aiCompletion}} returns the AI-generated content from that node.
Search Past Meetings — {{meetings}} returns the list of meetings that matched the search.
Meeting trigger — exposes several outputs including meeting details, attendees, and the transcript.
Create Slack Block — {{slackMessage}} returns a Block Kit-formatted message ready for a Slack send node.

Each node's documentation or tooltip lists its exact output names.

Working with a List Output

Some nodes return a list rather than a single value. Search Past Meetings returns {{meetings}}, which is a list. To work with the individual items:

Use a Loop Prompt node to iterate over each meeting and run a prompt per item.
Or use Attach Documents if you're sending the list into a Chat conversation and want to query across them together.

Dropping {{meetings}} directly into a prompt without looping usually gives you an unhelpful stringified list.

Combining Multiple Outputs in One Node

You can include as many references as you want in a single node. A Slack message node might combine:

A headline from one Run Prompt node.
A detailed summary from another.
A list of meetings from a search.

Just type {{ wherever you want each one to land.

Troubleshooting

If {{ doesn't surface the output you expect:

Check the node order. Outputs are only available from nodes that run before the current one.
Refresh the page. The builder sometimes needs a reload to pick up newly added nodes.
Confirm the source node actually completed in your most recent test run — a failed node won't produce an output.
Check that you're typing {{ in a field that accepts variables. Some structured fields (like dropdowns) don't.

If the outputs still don't show up, open the workflow run history — a node that errored on every test run won't expose its output to downstream nodes.

Building Your Own — the broader workflow-building walkthrough.
Triggers & Actions — list of all node types and their outputs.
Writing Workflow Prompts — how to structure prompts that reference node outputs well.

Need More Help?

Reach the AskElephant support team by clicking the Support tab on the right side of your screen, emailing [email protected], or using @askelephant support in your dedicated Slack channel.