How to Use Scenario Inputs in Make.com

Scenario inputs in make.com let you design flexible automations that behave differently based on values you provide at run time. Instead of hard‑coding data directly into modules, you can define reusable inputs and pass them into your scenario whenever it is executed.

This how‑to guide walks you step by step through creating, managing, and using scenario inputs so you can build cleaner, more scalable workflows.

What Are Scenario Inputs in Make.com?

Scenario inputs in make.com are named variables you define at the scenario level. They become available in the Mapping panel anywhere inside the scenario, allowing you to inject dynamic values without editing each module.

Typical use cases include:

Running the same scenario in different environments (test vs production).
Providing user‑specific parameters, such as email addresses or IDs.
Controlling filters, limits, or search terms from a single place.
Passing values into scenarios triggered from other scenarios or apps.

How Scenario Inputs Work in Make.com

When you create a scenario input, make.com stores only its definition in the scenario: name, type, and an optional description or default value. The actual values are supplied when the scenario is run from the dashboard, by another scenario, or by an external integration that supports scenario inputs.

Once defined, inputs appear under a dedicated Scenario inputs section in the Mapping panel, where you can map them into any field that supports variables.

Creating Scenario Inputs in Make.com

Follow these steps to create a new scenario input in make.com:

Open your scenario
In the scenario editor, open the scenario where you want to use inputs.
Access scenario settings
Click the scenario name or the settings icon to open the scenario configuration panel.
Locate the Scenario inputs section
Find the Scenario inputs area. This is where you manage all inputs for that scenario.
Add a new input
Click Add or the plus icon to create a new scenario input.
Configure the input
For each input, define:
- Name – A clear identifier, for example, customer_email or environment.
- Type – Text, number, Boolean, array, or other available types.
- Description – A short note that explains how the input is used.
- Default value (optional) – A value used when no value is provided at run time.
Save the input
Save your changes so the input becomes available in the Mapping panel throughout the scenario.

Using Scenario Inputs in Make.com Modules

Once created, you can use scenario inputs in any module in make.com that allows mapped values.

Mapping Scenario Inputs in Make.com Fields

To map an input into a module field:

Open the module configuration dialog in the scenario editor.
Click into a field that supports mapping (you will see the Mapping panel icon).
Open the Mapping panel if it is not already visible.
Locate the Scenario inputs section within the panel.
Click the input you want to map. It will appear in the field as a variable tag.

You can combine inputs with text or other variables. For example, in a text field you might create a message like:

"Welcome, {{customer_name}}!"

where {{customer_name}} is a scenario input.

Examples of Scenario Inputs in Make.com

Email scenarios
Use a scenario input for the recipient email or subject line so you can reuse the same sending logic for different campaigns.
Environment toggles
Create an input named environment with values like test or production and map it into API base URLs or folder paths.
Search and filters
Accept a search_term input and use it across several modules to search multiple systems for the same term.

Configuring Input Types and Defaults in Make.com

Choosing the right type for each input keeps your scenario robust and easier to maintain.

Supported Input Types

Depending on the current capabilities of make.com, you can usually define inputs as:

Text – For strings such as names, IDs, or email addresses.
Number – For numeric values and limits.
Boolean – For true/false switches.
Array or list – For multiple values when supported.

Use types that match how the data will be used in downstream modules.

Using Default Values

Default values allow your scenario to run even if no value is explicitly provided:

Provide safe fallback behavior.
Reduce configuration effort for frequently reused scenarios.
Document expected values through the defaults themselves.

For example, you can set a default limit input to 100 so API‑related modules always have a sensible maximum.

Running Scenarios That Use Inputs in Make.com

How you supply values for scenario inputs in make.com depends on how the scenario is triggered.

Manual Runs

When running a scenario manually from the editor or dashboard, you may be prompted to enter the values for each defined input. If defaults are configured, they will appear as prefilled suggestions.

Scheduled or Triggered Runs

For scheduled scenarios or those triggered by webhooks, apps, or other automations:

Inputs can be set in the scenario configuration.
Values may be passed dynamically from the triggering event, depending on the integration.
Defaults apply when no explicit value is provided.

Best Practices for Scenario Inputs in Make.com

To keep your automations clear and maintainable, follow these practices when working with scenario inputs in make.com:

Use descriptive names
Choose names that clearly describe what the input controls, such as notification_email or max_results.
Add clear descriptions
Document how each input is used, acceptable values, and any constraints.
Group related inputs
Implement naming conventions, for example, db_host, db_user, db_password, to make related inputs easy to spot.
Use defaults wisely
Set defaults that are safe, not just convenient. Avoid production‑only defaults in testing scenarios.
Test with different values
Run the scenario several times with different combinations of inputs to confirm all branches behave as expected.

Further Resources for Make.com Scenario Inputs

For detailed, official documentation about scenario inputs and related features in make.com, see the source help article:

Make.com help center: Use scenario inputs

If you need expert help designing complex scenarios, templates, or LLM‑driven workflows around make.com, you can find consulting and implementation services at Consultevo.

By defining scenario inputs thoughtfully and mapping them consistently, you can transform static automations into reusable building blocks, making your make.com projects easier to scale, maintain, and share with your team.

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.

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