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

# Preparing an nTop Notebook for nTop Automate

## Objective:

Learn how to prepare your nTop Notebook for nTop Automate (ntopcl).

## Procedure:

**1. Prepare Inputs:** Right-click on block inputs to declare them as the Notebook input variables.

* Scalar and Text variable types are supported for passing input variables in the execution command.
* Boolean, Integer, Scalar, Text, File Path, Vector, Point, and Enum types are supported for passing input variables as JSON files.
* File import/export blocks work well with the Text or File Path variable.
* An enum type makes block drop-down lists as the Notebook input variables.

![Creating an input to set up a file for nTop Automate.](https://files.learn.ntop.com/help-articles/ntop-automate/49964341542163.png)**2. Prepare Output:** Type the block object name in the output section.

![Use the Surface Area variable as the output for the notebook.](https://files.learn.ntop.com/help-articles/ntop-automate/49964358239507.png)**3. Run your Notebook using nTop Automate:** Use the command in Command Prompt.

```
ntopcl -j input.json -o output.json SampleFile.ntop
```

**4. Check the return messages**

**![Running nTop Automate with the file created above.](https://files.learn.ntop.com/help-articles/ntop-automate/360085091133.png)**

And that's it! You've successfully prepared your Notebook for nTop Automate.

Are you still having issues? Contact the [support team](https://support.ntopology.com/hc/en-us/requests/new), and we'll be happy to help!

## Download the Example file:

* [Example File](https://files.learn.ntop.com/Support%20Article%20Example%20Files/Knowledge%20Base/nTop%20Automate/Prepare%20Notebook%20for%20Automate%20Example.zip)

## Keywords:

*how to notebook variables output input command line CL nTOPCL json prepare prompt run enum*