# Collect

> Gather the results of several nodes in one place. Collect sorts them into text, image, video and audio outputs that connect to any node, for free.

Source: https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/automate/collect

The **Collect** node gathers the results of several nodes in one place. Connect any number of nodes to its single input, and Collect sorts their results by type into four outputs: text, image, video and audio. Each output then works like any other source of that type, so one connection can carry three separate images to [Image Collage](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/image/image-collage) or to [Choose Best](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/automate/choose-best).

- Found in: Automate › Lists & Batching
- Output: data
- API type: `collect`

## When to use it
- You made several covers with separate [Generate Image](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/image/generate-image) nodes and want [Choose Best](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/automate/choose-best) to pick one.
- You want the pictures of several nodes in one [Image Collage](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/image/image-collage).
- You want to join the clips of several video nodes with [Combine Videos](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/video/combine-videos).
- You want the text of several nodes as one list for [Merge Lists](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/automate/merge-lists), [Sort List](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/automate/sort-list), [Remove Duplicates](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/automate/remove-duplicates) or [Selector](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/automate/selector).

## Quick start
### Add the node

Press Tab on the canvas and choose **Automate › Lists & Batching › Collect**.

### Connect the sources

Drag from the output of each node you want to gather to the **Inputs** input of Collect. Nodes of different types can share the same input.

### Connect the outputs

Drag from the **image**, **video**, **audio** or **text** output to the next node. You can do this before anything has run.

### Run the workflow

When the connected nodes produce results, Collect shows them on the node: thumbnails for images, the first lines of each text, and a count of videos and audio files. Until then, the node shows how many connections are waiting for results.

Workflow: Three separate image nodes feed Collect, and its image output hands all three covers to Choose Best in one connection.

- Generate Image → Collect
- Generate Image → Collect
- Generate Image → Collect
- Collect → Choose Best (image)

## Inputs and outputs
| Input or output | Accepts or sends | What it does |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Inputs** | Any node | Takes any number of connections. Collect groups the results by type. |
| **text** | Text | Every text result, in order. Connects to prompt inputs and to the list nodes, such as Merge Lists, Sort List, Remove Duplicates, Selector and Choose Best. |
| **image** | Images | Every image result, in order. Connects anywhere an uploaded image can, such as Image Collage, the **References** input of Generate Image, or [Lip Sync](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/video/lip-sync). |
| **video** | Videos | Every video result, in order. Connects anywhere an uploaded video can, such as Combine Videos, [Trim Video](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/video/trim-video) or [Merge Video & Audio](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/video/merge-video-audio). |
| **audio** | Audio | Every audio result, in order. Connects anywhere an uploaded audio file can, such as [Mix Audio](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/audio/mix-audio) or [Combine Audio](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/audio/combine-audio). |

The four outputs are always present. Each one keeps its type: the **image** output cannot connect to an input that accepts only video. The **image** output sends plain pictures, so it does not connect to inputs that expect an asset, such as a [Character Asset](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/assets/character).

## Settings
| Setting | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| **Order** | The order of the items in every output. Drag a row up or down to move that node's results. A new connection is added at the end. |
| **Reset to arrival order** | Puts the rows back in the order you connected the nodes. |

The order matters for nodes that use it, such as Image Collage and Combine Videos.

## Credits
Collect is free. The preview on the node only shows results that already exist; it never runs anything and never charges credits.

## Collect, List or Group

- **[List](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/automate/list) spreads work out.** It has one source of rows, and the next node runs once for each row.
- **Collect gathers results in.** Several separate nodes each connect to it, and it passes the whole set to the next node at once.
- **[Group](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/automate/group) gathers by position.** Nodes you drag into a Group frame become its members, without any connection. A Group skips nodes with several outputs, such as a List, and pickers. Use Collect for those.

A common pattern chains them: spread the work with List, gather the results with Collect, and decide with [Choose Best](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/automate/choose-best).

## Tips
- **Wire first, run later.** The outputs exist before any result does, so you can build the whole workflow before the first run.
- **Set the order once.** Arrange the rows under **Order** before you connect Image Collage or Combine Videos, and every run keeps that order.
- **Pick a winner.** Collect followed by [Choose Best](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/automate/choose-best) turns several separate attempts into one result for the rest of the workflow.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the difference between List and Collect?

List is a source that spreads work out, so the next node runs once per row. Collect gathers the results of several separate nodes and hands them on together, for example to Choose Best or Image Collage.

### Does the Collect node cost credits?

No. Collect only gathers results that other nodes already produced. It never runs a model and is free.

### Can I connect Collect's outputs before the other nodes have run?

Yes. The text, image, video and audio outputs are always present, so you can wire everything first and run later. An output with nothing in it sends nothing until a matching result arrives.

### How do I change the order of the collected items?

Open the settings panel and drag the rows under Order. New connections are added at the end, and Reset to arrival order puts the items back in the order you connected them.