3. Pinning and editing output data
Pinning your data and editing your output will greatly simplify building and testing your workflow.
Build an efficient workflow: Leverage data fixation and output editing features
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🛠 The third video in the n8n Advanced Course focuses on data fixation and output editing, essential features for improving workflow efficiency .
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⏱ Data pinning allows users to pin the output of their nodes, minimizing dependencies on external services, thus reducing execution time and avoiding repetitive triggers of external systems such as API calls.
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📌 For example, if a workflow segment takes several minutes to run, the user can pin the final node to continue the build without delay.
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📝 The output editing feature allows you to paste data from previous runs, making it easier to debug your workflow by allowing you to test with past outputs without re-triggering the webhook.
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🔍 Mockaroo , our recommended mock data tool, allows you to save time in the process by generating realistic data sets and then copying them into your workflow for testing.
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💡 Blue icons on the canvas indicate nodes with pinned data , giving you immediate access to previously executed data, making your workflows more seamless.
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⚙ You can further streamline your workflow development process by combining the output editing feature with fixed data to test specific edge cases, such as setting fields to null .
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📊 Overall, these features enable users to efficiently build and test workflows, significantly reducing the need for repetitive tasks and improving productivity .
LiveWiki, the key content on YouTube in 10 seconds! - https://livewiki.com/ko/content/n8n-advanced-course-pin-edit-output
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This video covers the **Pinning Data** and ** Edit Output** features.
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Both features are useful for workflow building.
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Pinning Data : Used to avoid external system calls and reduce execution time.
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When building a workflow, you can pin data so you can quickly test it without repetitive API calls.
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Fixed data is only used in test runs, in real runs the node is always re-run.
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Example: Pinning webhook data so you can continue building without having to call it again during testing.
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Fixed data is indicated by a blue icon on the canvas.
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Edit Output : You can manually edit the node's output data.
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This allows you to test for specific edge cases, such as setting a null value or passing a number instead of a string.
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Example: You can edit the webhook output data to test different data sets.
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You can copy and paste previous run data as output data and continue working in the workflow.
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The output editing feature is useful for debugging workflows that encounter errors.
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You can use a mock data generation tool like Mockaroo to generate random data and paste it into n8n in JSON format for testing.
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Example: A simple workflow consisting of a webhook, a Slack message, and a Google Sheets update.
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You can copy previous run data that caused an error, and modify and test the workflow while in that error state.
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Use Mockaroo to generate 10 contact data (e.g. ID, name, email, etc.) and copy them in JSON format.
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You can quickly perform tests by pasting the data generated in this way into n8n.