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

# Use image inputs

> Bring images into the prompt playground for seamless multimodal testing

# Overview

The Prompt Playground supports **image inputs** for working with **multi-modal models**, like **GPT-4o**. This feature allows you to iterate on tasks such as **image caption generation**, **visual QA**, and more.

You can pass images into your prompts by uploading image URLs as variables. These are used as inputs in your LLM calls—perfect for experimenting with visual content alongside text.

# Adding Image Inputs

## 1. Open the Prompt Playground

Navigate to **Prompt Playground** from the sidebar. Select a multi-modal model (e.g., `gpt-4o`) from the dropdown.

## 2. Add an Image Input Variable

Give your image variable a **name** (e.g., `image`) within the prompt.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/arize-phoenix-assets/assets/images/use-image-inputs-1.png" alt="Add image input variable in prompt" />
</Frame>

## 3. Upload an Image URL

In the **Input Variables** section, paste a supported **image URL** into the input field ([supported formats](#supported-image-formats)).

* Example: `https://example.com/images/hotel.jpg`

You should see the image render automatically next to the variable field.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/arize-phoenix-assets/assets/images/use-image-inputs-2.png" alt="Upload image URL in input variables" />
</Frame>

## 4. View Results

Run your prompt. The playground will display:

* The **image input**
* The **LLM-generated output**

<Frame>
  <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/arize-phoenix-assets/assets/images/use-image-inputs-3.png" alt="View results with image input and LLM output" />
</Frame>

# Creating Image Datasets and Using Them in the Playground

## **Method 1: CSV Upload**

1. **Prepare images** → Upload to accessible URLs
2. **Create CSV** → Include image URLs and variables
3. **Upload to Arize AX** → Use "Create via CSV" in Datasets
4. **Map columns** → Set image URL column as image variable
5. **Use in Playground** → Reference images with `{{variable_name}}`

## **Method 2: From Traces**

1. **Existing traces** → Must contain image URLs in input/output/attributes
2. **Create dataset** → Use trace-to-dataset functionality
3. **Auto-mapping** → Image URLs extracted as variables
4. **Use in Playground** → Same as CSV method

## Supported Image Formats

* JPG/JPEG ✅
* PNG ✅
* GIF ✅
* SVG ✅
* WebP ✅

## URL Types Supported

* **Web URLs**: `https://example.com/image.jpg`
* **Cloud Storage**: `gs://bucket/image.png`, `s3://bucket/image.jpg`
* **Data URLs**: `data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0K...`