Use Zapier Formatter to Split Text in Your Zaps

When building automations in Zapier, you often receive long strings of information in a single field. With Formatter by Zapier, you can split that text into smaller, structured pieces and pass exactly what you need to later steps in your Zap.

This guide walks you through how to use the Text splitter transform so you can control separators, keep or remove them, and select specific parts of your text outputs.

What is Formatter by Zapier?

Formatter by Zapier is a built-in utility app that lets you clean, convert, and restructure data inside a Zap. One of its most useful features is the ability to split text into multiple parts. For example, you can separate names, IDs, tags, or any values that are bundled together in one field.

By inserting a Formatter step between your trigger and action steps, you can reshape data without writing code, making your automations more accurate and flexible.

When to Use Zapier Text Splitting

Use the text splitting features in Zapier whenever you need to break a single text field into multiple, smaller parts. Common situations include:

• Splitting first and last names that arrive in one field.
• Separating comma‑separated tags or categories.
• Breaking apart IDs or codes stored together.
• Extracting specific sections from long messages or notes.

Formatter by Zapier processes the text step-by-step, so you can then map each piece to different fields in later actions.

How to Split Text in Zapier with Formatter

The text splitter transform is available in Formatter by Zapier under the Text event. Follow the steps below to configure it inside any Zap.

Step 1: Add Formatter by Zapier to Your Zap

1. Open your existing Zap or create a new one from your Zapier dashboard.
2. Set up your trigger step, such as a form submission, email, or webhook.
3. Click + Add step beneath your trigger.
4. Select Formatter as the app.
5. Choose the Text event, then continue.

Formatter by Zapier will now appear as its own step between your trigger and the actions that follow.

Step 2: Choose the Zapier Text Splitter Transform

1. In the Formatter step, look for the Transform field.
2. From the dropdown list, choose Split text (or the equivalent split transform in the Text section).
3. This tells Zapier you want to divide a single text value into multiple parts based on a separator.

Once selected, additional options appear so you can define exactly how the text is split.

Step 3: Select the Input to Split

1. In the Input field, click to open the data dropdown.
2. Choose the field from a previous step that contains the combined text you want to split. This might be a name, a tag list, or a message.
3. Confirm that the sample data shows the text you expect. This helps you predict how Zapier will split it during testing.

The text you select here is what Formatter by Zapier will process in this step.

Step 4: Define the Separator in Zapier

Next, you must tell Zapier what character or text to use as the separator. This is what marks the boundaries between each part.

Common separators include:

• Comma: ,
• Space: (a blank space)
• Colon: :
• Semicolon: ;
• Pipe: |
• New line: press Enter in the field to add a line break

Enter the separator in the Separator field. For example, if your data looks like Marketing, Sales, Support, use a comma as the separator so Zapier creates three separate parts.

Step 5: Choose Whether Zapier Keeps or Removes the Separator

Formatter by Zapier lets you decide if the separator should be kept or removed in the output.

1. Find the setting that controls separator behavior (often labeled something like Segment Index or advanced options with keep/remove separator).
2. If available, choose to remove the separator when you want clean text values.
3. Choose to keep the separator if you need it included in each output section.

This control helps keep your next action steps tidy and predictable.

Step 6: Pick Which Parts Zapier Should Return

After choosing a separator, Zapier can output all parts or just specific ones. The exact option names may vary, but you will typically see choices like:

• All parts
• First part
• Last part
• Custom index or a way to specify a position

For example, if the text is John Doe split by a space:

• The first part is John.
• The second part is Doe.

You can configure Formatter by Zapier to return only the first or second part, or output every piece as a list you can map to other fields.

Step 7: Test the Formatter Step in Zapier

1. Click Test or Test step in the Formatter by Zapier step.
2. Zapier will run the transform using your sample data and show the resulting output.
3. Review each part in the test results to confirm the split worked as expected.

If the results are not correct, adjust the separator or part selection, then test again until the output matches your needs.

Using Split Results in Later Zapier Steps

Once your text is split, each resulting part becomes available as a field in later Zapier actions.

Map Split Text Fields to Other Apps

In the next action step:

1. Add or open the action following your Formatter by Zapier step.
2. In any text field, open the data dropdown.
3. Look for the output fields labeled from the Formatter step, which may appear as items like Output 0, Output 1, or similar.
4. Select the specific split part you need for that action field.

By mapping the exact piece of text, Zapier sends clean, structured data to your CRM, spreadsheets, documents, or any other connected app.

Tips for Better Text Splitting in Zapier

• Make sure your separator is unique enough that it does not appear inside the text values themselves.
• Use consistent formatting in your source apps so Zapier can split data reliably.
• Combine Formatter steps if you need to perform multiple operations, such as splitting, trimming, or changing case.
• Test with several different sample records to verify the transform works across edge cases.

More Resources on Zapier Text Tools

For deeper reference, review the official Zapier documentation on splitting text using Formatter here: Use Formatter to split text in Zaps. It includes field screenshots and up-to-date option labels that may change over time.

If you want help optimizing your automation workflows, integrations, and SEO strategy around tools like Zapier, you can explore consulting services at Consultevo.

By configuring Formatter by Zapier correctly, you can transform unstructured text into reliable, reusable data, making every Zap more powerful and easier to maintain.

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