Getting Started with Make.com Scenarios and Connections

This how-to guide explains how to use make.com to build, manage, and run automated workflows called scenarios, including how connections, modules, and templates work together.

On make.com, a scenario is a visual workflow you design to move data between apps and services. Each scenario is composed of modules connected in a sequence, and each module can use a connection to a specific app or service account.

Key Concepts in Make.com Scenarios

Before you start building, it helps to understand the main elements you will see when working in make.com.

• Scenario: A scenario is an automation workflow that links apps and services.
• Module: Each step in the workflow is a module that performs an action or listens for data.
• Connection: A connection securely links make.com to your account in a particular app or service.
• Run: Each time the scenario executes its steps, that execution is a run.
• Template: A preconfigured scenario layout that you can load and customize.

By combining these components, make.com lets you automate tasks without writing code.

How Make.com Scenarios Work

Scenarios on make.com are managed and executed from a visual editor. Every scenario follows a general life cycle, from creation to activation and monitoring.

Basic life cycle of a Make.com scenario

1. Create a new scenario or load one from a template.
2. Add modules and arrange them in the required order or branching structure.
3. Configure connections for each module that needs access to an external app or service.
4. Set scheduling or triggers to define how and when the scenario starts.
5. Run and test the scenario to verify correct behavior.
6. Activate the scenario so that it runs on schedule or in response to triggers.
7. Monitor runs, review execution details, and make adjustments as needed.

This workflow structure is consistent across the platform, so once you understand one scenario, you can apply the same approach to others.

Creating a New Scenario in Make.com

To create a new automation, you open the scenario editor in make.com and build the workflow step by step.

Step-by-step: Create a scenario

1. Open the scenario editor:
   From your dashboard, navigate to the section where scenarios are listed and choose the option to create a new scenario.
2. Add the first module:
   Click the canvas and choose an app or service to act as the starting point of the automation, such as a trigger module or a scheduled module.
3. Add subsequent modules:
   From the first module, add additional modules to define actions, searches, or data transformations that follow your logic.
4. Configure each module:
   Open the settings of each module to select operations, map fields, and define filters or conditions.
5. Save your scenario:
   Use a clear name and description so you can easily recognize its purpose later.

At any point while working in make.com, you can run a manual test of part or all of the scenario to confirm that your modules and mappings are correct.

Understanding Connections in Make.com

Connections in make.com are secure links between the platform and your individual app or service accounts. Modules rely on these connections to send or receive data.

How connections work

• Each app or service generally requires at least one connection.
• A connection stores authentication details, such as API tokens or OAuth authorization.
• Multiple modules can reuse the same connection when they interact with the same service.
• Connections can usually be created directly from the module configuration window.

Managing connections well helps keep your make.com scenarios organized and secure.

Creating and managing connections

1. Create a new connection:
   When configuring a module that needs access to an external service, choose the option to add a new connection and follow the authorization steps.
2. Reuse an existing connection:
   If a connection for that service already exists in your make.com account, select it from the list.
3. Edit a connection:
   Use the account’s connection management area to rename, update, or reauthorize connections if access has expired.
4. Remove unused connections:
   Delete connections that are no longer needed to keep your workspace tidy and secure.

Every time you update authentication credentials for a service, revisit your affected make.com scenarios to ensure the corresponding connections are still valid.

Using Templates on Make.com

Templates are prebuilt scenarios you can load into your make.com account and customize for your needs. They provide a fast way to get started, especially for common use cases.

Working with scenario templates

1. Browse templates:
   In the scenario section, open the templates library and search for use cases or specific apps.
2. Preview template details:
   Read the description to understand what the template does and which connections it requires.
3. Load the template:
   Click to add the template as a new scenario in your make.com workspace.
4. Configure connections and modules:
   Replace placeholder connections with your own accounts and adjust fields, filters, or conditions.
5. Test and activate:
   Run test executions, then activate the scenario when you are satisfied with the result.

Templates help you learn how scenarios are structured in make.com because you can see example configurations and adapt them.

Running and Monitoring Make.com Scenarios

Once configured, a scenario in make.com can run automatically according to its schedule or trigger, or you can start it manually.

Running scenarios

• Manual run: Use a manual run when you are testing changes or running ad-hoc tasks.
• Scheduled run: Configure intervals so make.com executes the scenario at defined times.
• Trigger-based run: Use webhooks or event-based modules that start the workflow when new data appears.

Monitoring and troubleshooting on Make.com

1. View run history:
   Open the scenario’s run log to see when each execution started, how long it took, and whether it was successful.
2. Inspect execution details:
   Drill down into individual runs to view module-by-module data, inputs, and outputs.
3. Identify errors:
   Look for error messages associated with specific modules, which can indicate connection issues, invalid data, or configuration problems.
4. Adjust and re-run:
   Update module settings, connections, or mappings, then run the scenario again to confirm that the issue is resolved.

Careful monitoring of scenario runs allows you to maintain reliable automations on make.com over time.

Optimizing Your Use of Make.com

As you build more scenarios in make.com, organizing and optimizing them becomes increasingly important.

• Use clear names and descriptions for every scenario.
• Group related scenarios logically in your workspace.
• Reuse connections wherever possible to simplify management.
• Document key workflows so team members can understand and maintain them.

If you need strategic help designing automation architectures or aligning make.com workflows with broader systems, you can consult experts such as Consultevo for implementation and optimization support.

Learn More About Make.com Scenarios and Connections

For the most detailed and up-to-date information about scenarios, connections, and other platform features, refer to the official documentation on Make.com scenarios and connections. There you can find additional examples, interface screenshots, and advanced configuration options.

By understanding how scenarios, modules, connections, and templates interact, you can use make.com to automate complex workflows in a structured and reliable way.

Need Help With Make.com?

If you want expert help building, automating, or scaling your Make scenarios, work with ConsultEvo — certified workflow and automation specialists.

Get Help