How to Use Make.com General Functions Effectively

The general functions in make.com let you transform, format, validate, and combine data directly inside your scenarios, so you can build powerful automations without custom code.

This how-to guide is based on the official general functions documentation and walks you through the most important functions step by step.

Getting Started with Make.com General Functions

In make.com, general functions are available in the formula editor wherever you can enter a value. They help you manipulate text, numbers, arrays, and JSON, and they work across modules and apps.

To open the formula editor in make.com:

1. Open your scenario and click a module.
2. Locate a field with the mapping icon (often a small variable or “T” icon).
3. Click the icon to open the formula editor dialog.
4. Use the function list on the right to insert general functions into your expression.

You can combine multiple general functions in one expression, nest them, and mix them with mapped items from earlier modules.

Core Make.com Text Functions

Text (string) functions allow you to clean and transform text values before you pass them to other modules.

Concatenating Text in Make.com

To merge several text values into one, use concatenation with the & operator.

1. Open the formula editor in your target field.
2. Click variables on the right to insert the text items you want to join.
3. Type & between items to concatenate them.
4. Optionally add spaces or separators in quotes, for example: FirstName & " " & LastName.

Use this pattern to build labels, titles, or combined messages in make.com.

Changing Case and Trimming Text

The general functions list provides options for easy text formatting, such as:

• Converting text to upper or lower case.
• Removing leading and trailing spaces.
• Replacing selected characters or substrings.

Steps to apply a text function:

1. In the formula editor, locate the desired function under text utilities.
2. Double-click the function to insert its template.
3. Replace the placeholder arguments with your mapped items or fixed text.
4. Confirm to save and test the module.

Working with Numbers in Make.com

Number-related functions in make.com help you perform calculations, rounding, and safe conversions.

Basic Arithmetic Functions

You can add, subtract, multiply, or divide numeric values from previous modules. Typical use cases include:

• Calculating totals and subtotals.
• Converting units and currencies (when paired with app modules).
• Computing averages or percentages.

To build a formula:

1. Open the module field where the calculation is needed.
2. Map the numeric items to the formula editor.
3. Use operators (+, -, *, /) and numeric functions to define the calculation.
4. Validate the expression and run the scenario to see the outcome.

Rounding and Formatting Numbers

General functions also let you round numbers to a specified number of decimal places or format them for display.

Typical steps:

1. Insert a rounding function from the function list.
2. Pass the numeric value (mapped item or expression) as the first argument.
3. Specify the number of decimal places as the second argument.
4. Apply the result in notifications, reports, or external systems.

Array and List Functions in Make.com

Arrays are lists of items, such as multiple records from a search module. General functions in make.com help you count, filter, and transform these lists.

Counting Items in an Array

To find how many items were returned by a module:

1. Open the formula editor in a text or number field.
2. Insert the array-counting function from the arrays section.
3. Map the array output of the previous module into the function argument.
4. Use the resulting number in conditions, routers, or reports.

Joining Array Items into Text

You can join all array elements into a single string separated by commas or another delimiter.

1. Select the destination field.
2. Open the formula editor and locate the join function under arrays or text utilities.
3. Map the array of values as the first argument.
4. Enter the delimiter (for example “, “) as the second argument.
5. Save and run the scenario to output a formatted list.

JSON and Data Structure Functions in Make.com

Many APIs and modules exchange data as JSON. Make.com provides general functions to parse, build, and inspect JSON content.

Parsing JSON Strings

If a module returns JSON as text, you can convert it into a structured object.

1. Open the formula editor where you need structured access.
2. Insert a JSON parsing function from the respective section.
3. Map the raw JSON string as the input argument.
4. After parsing, map specific fields from the resulting structure using the data tree.

This approach allows you to work with nested data without extra code in make.com.

Building JSON for API Requests

When sending data to an HTTP or webhook module, you often need to build a JSON body.

1. Open the HTTP module or webhook module body field.
2. Switch to the formula editor to construct a JSON expression.
3. Use available general functions and mapped items to build key-value pairs.
4. Ensure that quotes, braces, and commas follow valid JSON rules.
5. Test the request and inspect the output to confirm correctness.

Validation and Conditional Logic with Make.com

Validation and conditional functions in make.com let you create robust scenarios that react to different data states.

Checking for Empty Values

You can verify whether a mapped item is empty, null, or missing, and respond accordingly.

1. Open the formula editor of the target field or filter.
2. Insert a function that tests for emptiness or null.
3. Map the value you want to check into the function.
4. Use the result (true or false) in conditions, routers, or inline expressions.

Using Conditional Expressions

Conditional functions let you output one value when a condition is true and another when it is false.

Typical workflow:

1. In the formula editor, insert a conditional expression from the list.
2. Define the condition (for example, a comparison between two mapped items).
3. Set the value to return if the condition is true.
4. Set the value to return if the condition is false.
5. Apply the result in module fields, labels, or notifications.

Practical Tips for Using Make.com General Functions

To work efficiently with general functions in make.com, follow these best practices:

• Test expressions in small steps instead of building complex formulas at once.
• Use clear naming in earlier modules so mapped items are easy to identify.
• Comment and document tricky formulas in scenario notes or naming conventions.
• Reuse patterns (such as standard JSON bodies or rounding rules) across scenarios.

If you need expert implementation or strategy help for advanced automation projects, you can consult specialists at Consultevo for tailored guidance.

Next Steps with Make.com General Functions

By mastering the general functions in make.com, you gain precise control over text, numbers, arrays, and JSON data inside your automations.

Use this article together with the official general functions reference to explore each function in detail, then apply them progressively in your scenarios.

As you experiment and combine functions, you will be able to design more reliable, flexible, and scalable workflows in make.com without writing traditional code.

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