# Encrypt

The *Encrypt* action node allows you to hash, encode or encrypt any variable(s) before sending the variable to an external API.

{% hint style="success" %}
The *Encrypt* node only supports encryption for **plain text**.
{% endhint %}

{% embed url="<https://vimeo.com/761775026?share=copy>" %}

You can choose from the following encryption methods:

* *Hash*: MD2, MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-384 or SHA-512 algorithms.&#x20;
* *Encrypt*: OpenPGP algorithm.&#x20;
* *Encode*: Base64 or Hex algorithms.&#x20;

{% hint style="info" %}
This node is typically used before an [*API Integration*](/flow/action-nodes/action-nodes-api-integration.md) node to either hash, encrypt or encode a variable that is passed in that HTTP call.
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="/files/16UGInrAIOqLcV3zA2Yh" alt="" width="563"><figcaption><p>Setup of an Encrypt node</p></figcaption></figure>

![Example flow containing Encrypt node](/files/-Meil-o8Hq1R5VW1H3jw)


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