> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.artific.nl/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.artific.nl/en/for-everyone/toolbox/running-an-element.md).

# Running an element

Filling in the form, and what to do with what comes back.

## The screen

Open an element and you get the form on the left, and results on the right.

At the top is a picture and a description of what this element does. If the description is cut off, **Read more** expands it. That is worth doing the first time, since it usually says what the element expects from you.

## Filling in the form

Each field is one thing the element needs. Fields marked **Optional** can be left empty; everything else is needed.

Depending on the element you may see:

| Field              | What to do                                                                                   |
| ------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| A single-line box  | Type a short value.                                                                          |
| A larger text area | Paste or write longer text.                                                                  |
| A number           | Set a length, usually a word count.                                                          |
| A dropdown         | Pick from prepared choices: a tone of voice, a writing style, a language, a form of address. |
| A document upload  | Attach one or more files.                                                                    |
| An image upload    | Attach a reference image, for image elements.                                                |
| An audio field     | Record or upload audio, which is transcribed and used as the input.                          |

{% hint style="info" %}
The dropdowns are not decoration. Choosing **Formal** or **Concise** inserts a full, carefully written instruction behind the scenes. Picking the right one changes the result much more than you would expect.
{% endhint %}

Then choose **Start**.

If you have attached documents, the button waits until they have finished processing.

## Recording audio

Elements that take audio give you two tabs: **Record** to use your microphone, or **Upload file** for an existing recording.

Once you stop, the audio is transcribed and the transcript becomes the input. **Start over** discards it and begins again.

Note that leaving the page loses an unsent recording. The platform warns you first.

## The result

The result appears on the right under **Last result**, streaming as it is written. Earlier results appear below it under **Previous results**.

### Refining

Under a result is **Refine the result**: a box for telling the element what to change.

> *Make it shorter.* *More formal, and address the reader by name.* *Keep the structure but rewrite the second paragraph.*

This is where the real value is. The first result is a draft. One or two refinements almost always get you something you would actually send, and it is far quicker than re-filling the form.

### What you can do with a text result

| Action               | What it does                                        |
| -------------------- | --------------------------------------------------- |
| **Copy as text**     | Plain text, for pasting anywhere.                   |
| **Copy as Markdown** | Keeps the formatting, for tools that understand it. |
| **Download as Word** | A document, styled to your organisation.            |
| **Delete content**   | Removes it from your saved results.                 |

### What you can do with an image result

Refine it with new instructions, download it, or delete it.

## Where results go

Everything you generate is saved automatically. See [Saved content and images](/en/for-everyone/toolbox/saved-work.md).

## Getting better results

* **Give it the real input.** Vague input produces vague output. Paste the actual text, attach the actual document.
* **Say what you are not getting.** In the refine box, describe the problem (*"too formal"*, *"you have left out the deadline"*) rather than rewriting from scratch.
* **Try the dropdowns.** Running the same input with a different writing style is the quickest way to see what they do.
* **Read it before you send it.** It is a draft written for you, not by you. You are still the one signing it.