> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.less.tech/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Manual Input

> Create data on the Canvas

The Manual Input is a very simple spreadsheet directly on the Canvas. You can use it to create data directly on the Canvas instead of having to upload files.

<Note>
  The Manual Input tool can only create string/text columns. Use the [Columns](/tools/basics/columns.mdx) tool to change column formats.
</Note>

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/less-51/qnh8gNMWMbLC5eFp/images/tools/manual-input/Test.gif?s=0d7e98c3ef766efc596809420e0e025e" alt="Manual Input" width="2000" height="1256" data-path="images/tools/manual-input/Test.gif" />
</Frame>

It is helpful for a bunch of different use cases. For instance, writing mapping data directly on the Canvas before a [Combine](/tools/merge/combine), adding a reference date before an [Append](/tools/merge/append) and a lot of user use it in tandem with [API](/tools/utilities/api) tools to input a URL and some headers or parameter values.