With in-line formulas, you can transform text, numbers, and other data into the format you need. To set up in-line formulas, you add them inside the fields where you need to transform data–there’s no separate step required, unlike the Formatter app.
Add an in-line formula to a field
When setting up your action step:
- Click the plus sign icon at the end of a field to open the dropdown menu.
- For dropdown menu field types, switch to using a custom value first.
- In the top menu bar, select Formulas.
- Select a formula. The step will add it to the field’s input box.
- Replace all placeholder values between quotation marks with the values you want to transform.
- You can double click the placeholder value to select it, then replace it with a mapped field.
at the end of a field to open the dropdown menu.
If you want to remove HTML tags from the body of an email, you can use the Utils.strip_tags formula. Select it, then replace “value” with the body of the email. When the Zap runs, it will remove all HTML tags like <p></p> and return plain, unformatted text.
For the value:
<p>I would like to order two bunches of violets.</p> <p><strong>I do not want any that have been trod in the mud.</strong></p> <p>Please reply with pricing.</p> <p>Kindest regards,</p> <p>Henry Higgins</p>
The Utils.strip_tags formula would output:
I would like to order two bunches of violets. I do not want any that have been trod in the mud. Please reply with pricing. Kindest regards, Henry Higgins
When you hover over an in-line formula in your field, a pop-up will appear that explains what the formula is and provides examples of how to use it.
Limitations
- You cannot combine static and dynamic values inside a formula.
- Nest the
Text.concatformula inside another formula to combine them first.
- Nest the
- When you test a step that contains an in-line formula, the Data in tab will display the entire formula, not the transformed data. You can review the output in the live test result in your app instead.
- List formulas will not accept CSV values.
- You can use the
Object.parse_jsonformula to parse it into a list the formula can accept. You can also add a Formatter step to transform your CSV into line items instead.
- You can use the
- Deleting a formula does not delete its values. You must delete those separately.
Additional resources
Learn more about available in-line formulas and tips and tricks for using in-line formulas.