The difference between a Grid and a Workflow
Workflows vs. Grids
Simply put, workflows exist without grids, but grids do not exist without workflows. The grid is a specific method of running a workflow, whereas workflows can also run outside the grid in other ways.
Running Workflows Outside the Grid
Workflows in AirOps can be executed without ever touching a grid. Common alternatives include:
- Single-run forms (the “run once” view)
- API endpoints
Example: Single-Run Form & Integration
- After you publish a workflow (e.g., the Social Post workflow), a pop-up appears with a Run Workflow button.
- Clicking it opens the single-run form—ideal for prototyping and sharing with others.
- Under Integrate, you’ll find documentation on all the other ways to run that workflow via API or other integrations.
Even though you can get creative with how you run a workflow, grids remain the go-to for orchestrating large content workflows in AirOps.
CSV Consumption Differences
Grids and workflows handle CSV inputs differently:
Grid CSV Behavior
- Uploading a CSV to a grid triggers one workflow run per row.
- Only the horizontal data in each row is passed into that run.
- Each row’s execution is independent; one row’s data never affects another.
Workflow CSV Behavior (Run Once Form)
- In the single-run view, you can upload a CSV and provide the entire file as context to the model.
- This enables workflows to use data from any part of the CSV in a single execution.
- It’s rare to upload a CSV directly into a workflow—grids are typically the better choice for batch operations.
Input Types: Grid vs. Workflow
Grids currently support a limited set of inputs:
- Text
- JSON
- Brand kit
- Knowledge base
Workflows in the run-once (single-run) form support all of the above, plus additional inputs:
- Single-select and multi-select dropdowns (only for the single-run view)
- File text (docs, PDFs)
- File media (MP3s, images, etc.)
Note that dropdowns and file uploads configure inputs only for the single-run form; they aren’t available in grids yet.
Download Options
The grid offers an output format that workflows do not:
- In a workflow alone, you can return text or JSON.
- In a grid, you can download the entire result set as a CSV.
These are the primary differences between grids and workflows in AirOps. Grids serve as a powerful orchestration layer for batch workflows, while workflows themselves can run independently, consume more varied inputs, and accept full-CSV context in single-run mode.
