---
title: How to add a service call?
description: To use a web service or an extension function in a Smartlet, the service should be defined ahead of time in the connections section. Before making a call to a service at the Smartlet level, be sure you have created…
url: "https://www.alphinat.com/en/support/how-to-create-a-theme/"
updated: "2023-07-19"
category: Get Started
---

# How to add a service call?

To use a web service or an extension function in a Smartlet, the service should be defined ahead of time in the connections section. Before making a call to a service at the Smartlet level, be sure you have created the fields that will serve as inputs and outputs if you choose not to auto-create the fields.

**To add a service call:**

1. Click the **Services** tab from any of the Smartlet edition interfaces:

![](https://www.alphinat.com/en/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/05/image-17.png)

1. Click the**Add**a service call button.
2. Select the **Connection** to use for the service call.
3. Select the **Operation** to use for the call.
4. Enter the **Service call name**.
5. Optionally enter a **Description** of the service call.
6. Optionally check the **Auto-create fields from service definition** box.
7. Optionally check the**Auto-map fields**box.
8. Optionally check the **Cache service output** box (available starting with V8.0.1).
9. If you choose to auto-map the fields, optionally check the **Overwrite existing mappings** box to replace existing mappings with the new ones.
10. Click the **Create** button.