Broadly, DRAINS requires three types of input:

• the data needed to set up a model - indicators selecting the type of hydrological model, the parameters or significant numbers associated with models, and data that is stored in data bases, such as pit characteristics and rainfall data;

• a graphical background;  and

• data defining the drainage system, entered as components such as pits and pipes, with property sheets.

A drainage system can be inputted in several ways:

1. Data can be entered pictorially in the DRAINS Main Window, using the drawing tools available on the Toolbar and the property sheets opened by right-clicking on individual components.
2. Rainfall inputs can be inputted from Bureau of Meteorology and ARR Data Hub websites as .csv files.
3. Data can be inputted from a file in the format of the spreadsheet output.
4. Certain data that is available in drawing or design packages can be transferred in DXF format.  Additional information on sub-catchments and other components must be added. (See Importing DXF Files.)
5. Data in a suitable format in GIS files in ESRI and MapInfo formats can be imported.
6. The connections with Civil Site Design, implemented through the File menu, can import information in xml file format.
7. Data in existing ILSAX files can be entered by using an option that transfers information to a layout of pits in the Main Window. It is necessary to draw the pit layout and to add extra data required by DRAINS. 
8. Data can be added to a network displayed in the Main Window from a previously-created merge file.
9. The 12d program has an interface to DRAINS using the spreadsheet output/input interface.
   

All entered information is saved as a single .drn file in a binary format. Information already stored in a DRAINS .drn file can readily be recalled and altered.

Prior to performing calculations, DRAINS provides a number of viewing options:

• property sheets and dialog boxes in which data for each component can be entered or viewed,

•  windows displaying properties and pictorial representations of components, such as long sections of pipelines,

• the spreadsheet output showing details of components such as pipes,

• numbers displayed beside the drawn components in the Main Window, giving values of selected factors.

Following Design or Analysis runs, results can be viewed using these facilities.

Outputs can be obtained in a variety of ways:

1. The Main Window display can be printed from the File menu.
2. The tables and plots of hydrographs and hydraulic grade line levels for individual components (obtained from the Pop-Up (right mouse button) menu) can be exported via the Windows Clipboard to word processing or spreadsheet programs.
3. DXF drawing format files can be generated from options in the File menu, providing a plan view and long-section drawings.
4. Details of all system components and results of runs can be transferred to spreadsheet programs via the Windows Clipboard from the Edit menu. 
5. Hydrographs generated from sub-catchment areas, and flowing along pipes and channels can be exported in comma-separated variable format using the Export  → Tuflow TS1 Files... option in the File menu.
6. Pipe system data and results can be exported to GIS programs in ESRI and MapInfo formats.
7. Data can be exported to the Civil Site Design program in xml format. 
8. The spreadsheet output can be used to transfer results to the 12d program.
9. A Merge file can be created.