Format text in Zapier steps

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Format text in Zapier with HTML, Markdown, ASCII, or plain text

When you build automated workflows in Zapier, you often need to control how text is formatted as it moves between apps. This guide shows you how to use Formatter actions to convert your data to HTML, Markdown, ASCII, or plain text so each step in your Zap sends information in the exact format you need.

How Zapier Formatter text actions work

The Formatter app in Zapier includes text utilities that transform the data coming from previous steps. You can insert a Formatter step anywhere in your Zap to change how text appears before it is sent to the next action.

Each Formatter step:

  • Takes input from a trigger or earlier action.
  • Applies a selected text transformation.
  • Outputs formatted text you can map to later steps.

To follow these instructions, you should already have a Zap created with at least a trigger step.

Set up a Zapier Formatter text step

Before you choose an output format, add a Formatter step in your Zapier workflow.

  1. In the Zap editor, click the plus icon + where you want to add the new step.
  2. Select Formatter from the app list.
  3. Under Event, choose Text.
  4. Click Continue to configure the text transformation.

Each of the sections below explains how to configure the Transform field and input data for different text formats.

Convert text to HTML in Zapier

Use HTML output when you need rich text in emails, documents, or other apps that accept HTML formatting.

Create HTML paragraphs from plain text in Zapier

  1. In your Formatter text step, open the Transform dropdown.
  2. Select Convert to HTML.
  3. In the Values field, map the text field from the trigger or previous action that you want to convert.
  4. Click Continue, then click Test step to generate HTML output.

The output field will wrap your text in HTML tags such as <p> for paragraphs and convert any simple formatting into HTML-friendly structure. You can then map this HTML field into email bodies or other rich-text fields in later steps.

Strip HTML tags to plain text in Zapier

If your incoming data already contains HTML and you only want plain text, you can remove tags with Formatter.

  1. Add a Formatter text step.
  2. In Transform, choose Strip HTML (or the equivalent option to remove tags, depending on the current interface).
  3. In Values, map the HTML field from your earlier step.
  4. Test the step to confirm that the output shows only plain text without markup.

This is useful when you send summaries, notifications, or logs that should not include HTML formatting.

Convert text to Markdown in Zapier

Some documentation tools, wikis, and messaging platforms prefer Markdown instead of HTML. You can prepare this content directly inside your Zapier workflow.

Format Markdown content in a Zapier step

  1. Add a new Formatter text step in your Zap.
  2. In the Transform dropdown, choose Convert to Markdown (or the closest Markdown conversion option).
  3. In Values, select the text or HTML field you want to convert.
  4. Run a test to see headings, lists, and links converted into Markdown syntax.

Use the Markdown output in apps that render Markdown natively, such as note-taking tools or developer platforms.

Clean up Markdown for plain text in Zapier

When you have Markdown input but need unformatted content, use a Formatter step to remove Markdown characters.

  1. Create a Formatter text step.
  2. Set Transform to an option that removes formatting or converts Markdown to plain text.
  3. Map the field containing your Markdown content.
  4. Test the step to verify the output is clean text without Markdown symbols.

Convert text to ASCII in Zapier

ASCII-only output is useful when sending data to older systems or tools that cannot handle special characters, emojis, or non-Latin scripts.

Use Zapier to remove non-ASCII characters

  1. Add a Formatter text step in your Zap.
  2. In Transform, choose Convert to ASCII or the option that limits characters to ASCII.
  3. In the Values field, map the text that may include special or accented characters.
  4. Test the step to see how the text is converted or stripped.

Depending on the specific conversion behavior, some special characters may be replaced with approximate ASCII equivalents, while others may be removed entirely.

Convert text to plain text in Zapier

Plain text is the safest option when you want to avoid all formatting and markup. This is especially important when sending data into systems that sanitize or reject rich text.

Force plain text output with a Zapier Formatter step

  1. Add a new Formatter text step.
  2. Select a Transform option that converts input to plain text (for example, by removing HTML, Markdown, or other markup).
  3. Map the formatted field (HTML or Markdown) into the Values input.
  4. Test the step to confirm that the result contains only plain characters.

Use this output for logs, database fields, or any app that expects unformatted content.

Map Zapier Formatter output to later steps

Once your Formatter step is configured, you can use its output in any later action within the same Zap.

  1. Open the action step where you want to use the formatted text.
  2. In the field where text should appear, click into the input box.
  3. From the right-side data panel, select the output field from your Formatter step.
  4. Save and retest the action to confirm the formatted content appears correctly.

This mapping ensures consistent formatting across emails, documents, chat messages, and other destinations in your Zapier workflows.

Troubleshooting Zapier text formatting

If your output does not look as expected, use these checks:

  • Confirm that you selected the correct Transform option (HTML, Markdown, ASCII, or plain text).
  • Verify that the Values input is mapped to the correct field from the earlier step.
  • Review the test output for hidden characters, extra line breaks, or leftover markup.
  • Check whether the receiving app modifies or sanitizes formatted text after it arrives.

You can also add additional Formatter steps in Zapier to chain transformations, such as stripping HTML first and then converting the remaining text to ASCII.

More Zapier formatting resources

For complete, up-to-date details on every text formatting option, review the official documentation on changing your Zap data format: Zapier help article on changing Zap data.

If you need strategic help designing scalable automation structures around these Formatter features, you can learn more about expert consulting services at Consultevo.

By combining Formatter text actions with careful step mapping, you can make Zapier handle HTML, Markdown, ASCII, and plain text reliably, ensuring that every destination app receives information in the optimal format.

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