# Connections

A connection shows that one node references another. Learn how to connect nodes, which nodes can't be connected, and how to delete a connection.

## What is a connection?

A connection shows a **relationship between nodes**.

For example:

You start with a picture of a character, then use it to generate a picture of that character in a scene:

**Image node of the character → Image node of the character in a scene**

Then you generate a video from that picture:

**Image node of the character in a scene → Video result node**

By following the connections, you can see what content a result was made from.

## What does a connection mean?

A connection means there is a **reference relationship** between two nodes.

**The earlier node = upstream content**

**The later node = downstream content**

When the later node generates, it can use the earlier node's content as a reference.

## Connect existing nodes

If the nodes you need are already on the canvas, you can connect them yourself:

1. Select the node that provides the content
2. Press and hold the connection point on the right side of the node, then drag
3. Drag the connection onto the node that will receive the content
4. Release the mouse button or trackpad
5. When you see the connection, the nodes are connected

In this example, three images are connected as references to a video node before you generate with it. Once they are connected, you can see the connections. You can also click the connected generation node to see that it references the three images.

[Dragging connections from three image nodes to a video node; selecting it shows the three images as references in its prompt box](https://docs.moodio.art/media/b9a9b45dcc80b2c4ebd6f62ee40239b9.mp4)

## Not all nodes can be connected

Some types of nodes can't be connected to each other.

If you drag a connection, let go, and **no connection appears**, it usually means:

> These two types of nodes can't be part of the same generation chain.

![The message shown when a connection can't be made: audio nodes can't take video, other audio or asset cards](https://docs.moodio.art/media/e8772c6a486e2c720aa825de44a7e811.png)

## Delete a connection

To delete a connection:

1. Hover over the connection
2. Click the ✂️ that appears

Deleting a connection does only one thing:

It removes the relationship between the two nodes. It does not delete any content inside the nodes.

[Hovering over each connection and clicking the scissors icon that appears to delete it, while the nodes stay on the canvas](https://docs.moodio.art/media/99616790907b3a914eb5f4d240afd9ff.mp4)