> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.zerowork.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.zerowork.io/using-zerowork/using-building-blocks/insert-text-or-data.md).

# Insert Text or Data

<figure><img src="https://3220183989-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fg9LcR8XM7TGOzOCDGsCS%2Fuploads%2FnpxFk6NWRgPCSBocgWkp%2Finsert_text_or_data_block.png?alt=media&amp;token=41580586-3ff4-4403-b917-5f87ffb40c1f" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

The **Insert Text or Data** block types text into a field on a page: a search box, a form field, a login. It can type static text or data pulled from your variables and tables, and it types the way a person would.

## How To Use It

<figure><img src="https://3220183989-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fg9LcR8XM7TGOzOCDGsCS%2Fuploads%2F7Eas7fnAf09r5heQZppW%2Finsert_text_or_data_settings.png?alt=media&amp;token=5e84831a-b82c-4c64-bf0f-81682d2bcac2" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Content

The text to type. It accepts [dynamic inputs](https://docs.zerowork.io/using-zerowork/using-building-blocks/dynamic-inputs), as well as emoji, and [spintax](https://docs.zerowork.io/using-zerowork/using-building-blocks/dynamic-inputs/spintax) when **Use spintax** is turned on.

### Encrypt Content

Click the **lock** icon in the Content box to encrypt sensitive text such as a password. Once encrypted and saved, the content **can't be viewed or edited**; to change it, delete the entry and re-enter it, since ZeroWork keeps no plain-text copy. The run log notes the value as encrypted rather than displaying it.

{% hint style="info" %}
Use this option whenever you type credentials (for example, to log in with a username and password instead of [cookies](https://docs.zerowork.io/using-zerowork/general-run-schedule-share-webhooks/cookies)).
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="https://3220183989-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fg9LcR8XM7TGOzOCDGsCS%2Fuploads%2F5MS4H9eQOTgQpEs4FOlj%2Finsert_text_or_data_encrypt_content.gif?alt=media&amp;token=22266dfe-f47c-4a66-b2fe-079259325429" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Use Spintax

[Spintax](https://docs.zerowork.io/using-zerowork/using-building-blocks/dynamic-inputs/spintax) lets one Content field produce varied text: `{Hi|Hello|Hey}` types one of the three at random each run. **On by default** for this block.

### Don't press Enter on line breaks

By default, a line break in your Content is typed as a real **Enter** press, which can submit a form before you're ready. Check this to send a soft line break (**Shift+Enter**) at each line instead, so multi-line text stays in the one field.

### Web element selector

The CSS or XPath selector for the input field to type into. See [Using Selectors](https://docs.zerowork.io/using-zerowork/using-selectors). It is **optional when typing** (leave it blank to type at the current cursor) but **required when "Insert instantly" is on**.

#### Timeout

How long to wait for the field to appear before giving up, in seconds. The default is **1.5 seconds.**

### Typing speed

* **Insert instantly without typing delay**: pastes the whole value at once instead of typing it. Fast, but it always needs a selector, and some web page fields ignore a paste (see Things to Know).
* **The speed slider**: when not instant, how fast the human-like typing runs, from **Pro** (fastest) through **Fast**, **Average**, **Slow**, to **Very slow**. The default is **Fast** (\~65–90 words per minute). Typing is character-by-character with natural variation and the occasional pause.

#### Block-level Delays

**Min sec** and **Max sec** represent a pause after the text is inserted, before the next block runs. The wait is randomized between the two values, and setting both to the same number makes it fixed. This block defaults to **1 second**.

{% hint style="info" %}
See the [Delay](https://docs.zerowork.io/using-zerowork/using-building-blocks/delay) block for how these two fields behave, including decimals, references, and what happens when a field is left empty. See [Delay Times between the Building Blocks](https://docs.zerowork.io/using-zerowork/using-building-blocks/building-block-options/delay-times-between-the-building-blocks) for how block-level delays fit into a TaskBot's run.
{% endhint %}

## Things To Know

* **When a paste "doesn't take," switch off the Insert instantly option.** Some fields (especially on modern JavaScript sites) only register text that's actually *typed*, and ignore an instant paste. If instant insertion leaves a field looking empty or un-submitted, let the block type instead.
* **You often don't need a selector.** When typing (not instant), many pages already put the mouse cursor in the right field, search engines especially. Leave the selector blank and the text lands there. Add a selector when the page / input doesn't auto-focus, or when you're inserting instantly.
* **A table reference needs a loop.** Pulling a value from a table reference only works inside a [Start Repeat](https://docs.zerowork.io/using-zerowork/using-building-blocks/start-repeat) loop over that table; without one, nothing gets inserted. See [When I use data from a table, no data is being pulled](https://docs.zerowork.io/using-zerowork/common-problems/when-i-use-data-from-table-no-data-is-being-pulled).
* **Encrypt anything sensitive.** Passwords, tokens, and other sensitive data should always go in this block via the Encrypt Content option, not as plain text. Encrypted entries are never stored or logged in the clear, but they will be inserted into your web page as plain text.

## Block Behavior

**When a selector is given** the block focuses the field with a human-like click, then either types the value character-by-character at the chosen speed, or (with **Insert instantly** on) pastes it in one go.

**When no selector is given** (typing only) the block types the value wherever the cursor currently sits, sending no click first.

**When Insert instantly is on but no selector is given** the block fails with an error, since a selector is required for an instant paste.

**When Don't press Enter on line breaks is on** each line break in the value is sent as Shift+Enter; when off, line breaks are typed as ordinary Enter presses.

**When the content is encrypted** it is typed normally but recorded in the run log as encrypted, never the value itself.

**When the field can't be found within the timeout** the block fails with a selector error and stops the run.

**On success** it logs that it inserted the content, noting the selector when one was used.

## FAQ

1. **How do I paste text into a field without typing it?**\
   Turn on **Insert instantly without typing delay**. Instead of typing character by character, it drops the whole **Content** value into the field in one go. This option always needs a selector (it can't paste at a loose cursor position the way typing can), and some sites, especially modern JavaScript ones, only accept text that's actually *typed* and ignore an instant paste. If an instant paste leaves the field looking empty or unsubmitted, switch it off and let the block type.
2. **How do I paste something I already copied to the clipboard?**\
   This block types or pastes whatever is in its **Content** field, not your computer's clipboard. If you already have content on your clipboard, you can use a [Save From Clipboard](/using-zerowork/using-building-blocks/save-from-clipboard.md) block to first save that data to a [ZeroWork variable](/using-zerowork/using-variables.md), then reference that variable in this block's **Content** field, so it gets typed or pasted into your web page like any other text.

## Video Tutorials

See a video tutorial on using **Insert Text or Data** for an automated social media post: [Click Web Element](/using-zerowork/using-building-blocks/click-web-element.md#video-tutorial).

See another video tutorial on sending a personalized outreach message:[/pages/f1o1B7ewaH1ptL5WMkC3#video-tutorial-connect-your-taskbot-with-open.ai](https://docs.zerowork.io/using-zerowork/using-building-blocks/pages/f1o1B7ewaH1ptL5WMkC3#video-tutorial-connect-your-taskbot-with-open.ai "mention").