> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://virtualcontact.gitbook.io/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://virtualcontact.gitbook.io/docs/workflow-ai/external-api-calls.md).

# External API Calls

The External API Calls action allows a workflow to send an HTTP request to any external endpoint during a conversation. This enables real-time data retrieval from external systems, such as checking an order status, retrieving a customer's account balance or triggering a process in an external application.

Configure the API call with the endpoint URL, HTTP method, headers and body. The response can be stored in a workflow variable and used in subsequent actions.

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