String functions in Make.com: a practical how‑to

Working with text is essential in make.com scenarios. This how‑to article explains, step by step, how to use the built‑in string functions to clean, format, and transform text values so your automations stay accurate and easy to maintain.

All examples below follow the syntax used in the official function reference at the make.com string functions documentation. Use it as a companion while you build your scenarios.

Understanding string functions in Make.com

String functions in make.com let you transform text without adding extra modules. You can use them directly in any field that supports expressions, such as mappers, filters, and router conditions.

At a high level, these functions help you:

Clean and normalize text values
Extract parts of a string (like usernames or IDs)
Combine multiple text fields into one
Validate and compare values in filters
Prepare data for APIs, webhooks, and databases

Each function follows a clear pattern: functionName(parameter1; parameter2; ...). Parameters are usually written inside quotes if they are literal text, or taken from previous module outputs.

Where to use string functions in make.com scenarios

You can type string functions almost anywhere in make.com where you see the expression editor. Typical places include:

Data mapping fields inside modules
Filter conditions between modules
Router branch conditions
Set Variable or Set Multiple Variables modules
Aggregation and text output modules

To insert a function, open the expression editor, start typing the function name, and select it from the suggestion list. Then fill in the parameters as shown in the examples from the source documentation.

Core text transformation functions in Make.com

Start with the most common string functions that appear in many scenarios. These give you basic control over trimming, changing case, and joining text.

TRIM: removing extra spaces in Make.com

Use trim() to remove leading and trailing spaces from a text value. This is useful before comparing user input or searching in a database.

Example workflow:

Receive a name from a form with possible extra spaces.
Use trim( {{1.name}} ) in the next module.
Store or compare the cleaned name consistently.

LOWER and UPPER: unifying text case

To perform case‑insensitive comparisons, convert values using lower() or upper().

lower( {{1.email}} ) – normalize email to lowercase
upper( {{1.country_code}} ) – convert codes to uppercase

In a filter, you can compare normalized values like this:

lower( {{1.status}} ) = "approved"

CONCAT: combining text in Make.com

The concat() function lets you join multiple text parts into one string.

Typical uses:

Build a full name from first and last name
Create custom IDs that join prefixes and numbers
Generate friendly messages for notifications

Example:

concat( {{1.firstName}}; " "; {{1.lastName}} )

Extracting and searching text with Make.com functions

Many automations need to extract a portion of text, locate a delimiter, or check if a value exists inside a larger string. Make.com string functions make this straightforward.

SUBSTRING: get part of a string

Use a substring‑style function (for example substring() or the equivalent from the official reference) to take a portion of text starting at a specific position and length. The common pattern is:

substring( text; start; length )

Example scenario:

You receive an order code like ORD‑2025‑0001.
You want only the year segment 2025.
Use a substring expression to extract the middle part based on position.

FIND / INDEX: locating characters in Make.com

Functions that search text (often named find() or similar) return the position of a substring in a larger string.

Common uses:

Locate the @ symbol in an email
Find a delimiter like "|" or ","
Check if a tag or keyword exists inside a description

After you know the position, you can combine this value with substring() to extract the text before or after that point.

CONTAINS: filters in Make.com

A contains‑style function is perfect in filters and routes. It evaluates to true when a value appears inside a string.

Example filter condition:

contains( lower( {{1.message}} ); "urgent" )

This filter lets you route urgent support requests to a specific path in your make.com scenario.

Cleaning and formatting data with Make.com string tools

Beyond basic transformations, you often need to sanitize and format data before sending it to APIs, CRMs, or spreadsheets.

REPLACE: substitute parts of text

The replace‑style function takes three main parameters: the original text, the substring to replace, and the new value.

Typical workflows:

Replace commas with dots in numeric strings
Remove forbidden characters from filenames
Standardize separators in phone numbers

Example expression:

replace( {{1.phone}}; " "; "" ) – remove all spaces from a phone number.

SPLIT and JOIN: handling lists in Make.com

When a single text field actually holds a list (for example "apple,banana,pear"), you can use split‑style functions to turn it into an array, and join‑style functions to turn arrays back into a string.

Usage pattern:

Use split( text; delimiter ) to create an array.
Process each array item in an iterator or aggregator module.
Use join( array; delimiter ) to build a final string.

This is handy when you need to restructure CSV‑style input into cleaner data for other services.

How to build expressions with Make.com string functions

Building reliable expressions in make.com is easier when you follow a clear process and test each step.

Step 1: open the expression editor

Click into a supported field in your module (for example, a text or subject field).
Click the Expression tab or the function icon.
Place your cursor where you want to insert the function.

Step 2: insert a Make.com string function

Start typing the function name, such as trim or concat.
Select the function from the suggestion list.
Fill in the parameters using mapped outputs or literal text.

To avoid errors, match the parameter count and order shown in the official reference.

Step 3: combine multiple functions

Often, you will nest functions inside one another. A common pattern in make.com is to clean a value, change its case, and then compare it in one expression.

Example:

lower( trim( {{1.status}} ) ) = "completed"

This ensures status values like " Completed " still match your condition.

Step 4: test and debug in Make.com

Always test a scenario with sample data. If a function fails, make.com shows an error in the execution detail.

To debug:

Check the exact value of each mapped item.
Confirm that positions and lengths are correct for substring‑style functions.
Ensure your delimiters in split/join expressions match the actual text.

Best practices for Make.com string functions

Following a few best practices will keep your expressions manageable and faster to maintain.

Normalize early: use trimming and case functions as soon as you receive user input.
Keep expressions readable: avoid extremely long single‑line expressions; split logic across several modules if needed.
Reuse variables: store complex intermediate results in a Set Variable module to simplify later expressions.
Document patterns: keep notes or a small internal wiki of recurring make.com expression patterns your team uses.

Learn more about Make.com automation

The function catalog on the official string function page is the most accurate and up‑to‑date reference, including all parameters and additional examples. Visit the source here: Make.com string functions reference.

If you want help designing complete automations or auditing your scenarios for performance and structure, you can also explore consulting resources such as Consultevo, which covers automation strategy, integration design, and process optimization.

By combining a solid understanding of string functions with careful testing, you can build powerful, reliable text workflows in make.com and keep your data clean across every integration.

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