HTTP Request Block

What it does: Connects your workflow to other websites and apps to send or get data.

When to Use This

Use HTTP requests to connect with external services:

• ✅ Get weather data from a weather API
• ✅ Send SMS messages through Twilio
• ✅ Save data to external databases
• ✅ Get information from Google, Facebook, or any service
• ✅ Fetch product details, prices, or inventory

Example: Get current weather from a weather service and send it in an email to users.

How It Works (Simple Version)

1. You tell the block which website/service to contact
2. You tell it what data to send (if any)
3. The service responds with data
4. You can use that data in your workflow

Quick Setup Guide

Step 1: Choose Request Type

GET: Ask for information (like reading a book)

• Use when: You want to get data from a service
• Example: Get list of products, check weather

POST: Send information (like mailing a letter)

• Use when: You want to create something new
• Example: Create a new user, submit a form

PUT: Update information (like editing a document)

• Use when: You want to change existing data
• Example: Update user profile, change order status

DELETE: Remove information (like throwing away paper)

• Use when: You want to delete something
• Example: Cancel subscription, remove item

Step 2: Enter the URL

This is the address of the service you want to contact.

Example URLs:

https://api.weather.com/current
https://api.yourservice.com/users
https://example.com/api/products

Step 3: Add Data (If Needed)

If you're sending data (POST/PUT), add it in the body:

{
  "name": "{{customer_name}}",
  "email": "{{customer_email}}",
  "status": "active"
}

The {{Name}} and {{Email}} are replaced with actual data from your workflow.

Step 4: Test It

Click "Test the request" button to make sure it works before using it in your workflow.

Real Example: Get Movie Information

Let's say you want to get movie details:

What You Want

Ask a movie database: "Tell me about Star Wars"

How to Set It Up

1. URL: http://www.omdbapi.com/?t={{Movie Title}}&apikey=your_key
2. Type: GET (because we're asking for information)
3. Test Value: Set "Movie Title" = "Star Wars"
4. Click Test: See the response

Getting the Response

After testing, you'll get back information like:

• Movie title
• Release year
• Director
• Plot summary
• Poster image

Using the Data

Now you can use this movie information in your workflow:

• Show the poster image
• Display the plot
• Send movie details in an email

Common Use Cases

1. Get Data from API

GET https://api.example.com/users
→ Returns list of users

2. Create New Record

POST https://api.example.com/users
Body: {"name": "John", "email": "john@example.com"}
→ Creates new user

3. Send Notification

POST https://hooks.slack.com/your-webhook
Body: {"text": "New order received!"}
→ Sends Slack message

4. Check Status

GET https://api.shipping.com/track/{{TrackingNumber}}
→ Returns shipping status

Understanding API Keys

Many services require an API key (like a password) to use their service.

Where to add it:

• In the URL: ?api_key=your_key_here
• In Headers: Add header called Authorization
• In Body: Include it in your data

Troubleshooting

"Request Failed" Error

• Check if URL is correct
• Make sure you have internet connection
• Verify API key if required

"Invalid Response" Error

• Service might be down, try again later
• Check if you're sending data in the right format
• Look at the error message for clues

Data Not Showing Up

• Click the test button first
• Check if you saved the response to variables
• Make sure variable names match

Tips for Success

1. Always test first: Use the test button before running the workflow
2. Read the docs: Most services have documentation explaining how to use their API
3. Start simple: Try getting data before sending complex information
4. Save responses: Store API responses in variables to use later
5. Handle errors: Check if the request worked before using the data

Where to Find APIs

• Your own tools: Check if services you already use have APIs (most do!)
• Public APIs: Search for "free public APIs" for practice
• API directories: RapidAPI, ProgrammableWeb list thousands of APIs
• Documentation: Look for "API docs" or "Developer docs" on service websites

Next Steps

• Try connecting to a simple API like weather or quotes
• Learn about Variables to store API responses
• Explore other Integration blocks for specific services