# Instructions for modules through function node
**URL:** https://discourse.nodered.org/t/instructions-for-modules-through-function-node/64967
**Category:** General
**Tags:** function-node
**Created:** [11 July 2022 18:28 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/instructions-for-modules-through-function-node/64967 "2022-07-11T18:28:31Z")
**Posts on this page:** 6
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Kylespamaccoun7](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Kylespamaccoun7)
#### Post date: [11 July 2022 18:28 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/instructions-for-modules-through-function-node/64967/1 "2022-07-11T18:28:31Z")
I recently updated to the version that allows modules to be added from the function node. I am trying to test this out.
I have the module installed.
Is there documentation available explaining what to do next? I can't find a 'hello world' type guide on how to use the function node to interact with module?
My first thought was to use global variables. I would assign what I want module the module to use to a global variable, named according to what the library looks for? Then run it by injecting a blank message into the function node containing the module. The output would be visible as a global variable too. Is this right?
I honestly appreciate any help understanding this, or any resource/documentation I can learn from.
---
### Author:  [@Steve-Mcl](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Steve-Mcl)
#### Post date: [11 July 2022 20:28 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/instructions-for-modules-through-function-node/64967/2 "2022-07-11T20:28:42Z")
> [@Kylespamaccoun7](#):
>
> I can't find a 'hello world' type guide on how to use the function node to interact with module?
Because each npm module has thier own way of exporting functionality.
If you want a simple example, then try it out. Add `cowsay` and call its `say` function as instructed in the `cowsay` readme
You should get...
---
### Author:  [@Kylespamaccoun7](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Kylespamaccoun7)
#### Post date: [24 July 2022 17:54 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/instructions-for-modules-through-function-node/64967/3 "2022-07-24T17:54:34Z")
Hi, thanks for helping me out and sorry for the slow response. Managing hobbies on top of a work and a household is like.. crazy. And I dont even have kids...
I will download cowsay and test it out.
I'm struggling with the basic level of understanding though. It sounds really simple at its core i think?
1. get a module
2. identify a whatever function we want to use.
3. identify what information the function requires.
4. Return the payload or however its assigned.
Im on mobile so i might have missed the formatting but is the gist of this correct?
ModuleName.function(necessary input){option 1: value, option 2: value, options 3: value}`
And was your function node something like this then?
```auto
msg.payload = cowsay.say('hi');
return msg.payload
```
And with options:
```auto
msg.payload = cowsay.say("hi"){
Text: "i'm a module",
e : "oO",
T : "U "
};
return msg.payload;
``
```
---
### Author:  [@Steve-Mcl](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Steve-Mcl)
#### Post date: [24 July 2022 18:07 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/instructions-for-modules-through-function-node/64967/4 "2022-07-24T18:07:18Z")
> [@Kylespamaccoun7](#):
>
> And with options:
>
> ```auto
> msg.payload = cowsay.say("hi"){
> Text: "i'm a module",
> e : "oO",
> T : "U "
> };
> return msg.payload;
>
> ```
That would not work as the object is outside of the function parenthesis and you must always return the `msg` object (not the payload)
> [@Kylespamaccoun7](#):
>
> 1. get a module
> 2. identify a whatever function we want to use.
> 3. identify what information the function requires.
> 4. Return the payload or however its assigned.
>
> Im on mobile so i might have missed the formatting but is the gist of this correct
Pretty much - so long as you really mean...
1. Identify a module that does what I need
- Find it in npm
- copy it's name as listed in NPM
- Add the module as named in the function setup tab modules list
2. identify whatever function(s) we want to use & the parameters they require, then call it/them as prescribed by the modules instruction/docs
3. Assign the result to `msg.payload`
4. Return the `msg`
* * *
Bottom line, just give it a go
---
### Author:  [@Kylespamaccoun7](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Kylespamaccoun7)
#### Post date: [24 July 2022 18:12 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/instructions-for-modules-through-function-node/64967/5 "2022-07-24T18:12:26Z")
Fantastic, thank you!
---
### Author:  [@system](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/system)
#### Post date: [22 September 2022 18:13 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/instructions-for-modules-through-function-node/64967/6 "2022-09-22T18:13:20Z")
This topic was automatically closed 60 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.