Mastering the Contains Function on Make.com: Array & Text Insights

Welcome to the world of Make.com! Here, you’ll learn to harness the power of the Contains function effectively, avoiding common pitfalls while optimizing your automation processes. 🙌 Let’s dive into the core ideas and practical applications of this essential function.

Understanding the Contains Function for Arrays

The Basics of the Contains Function

The Contains function in Make.com is tailored for checking whether a specific value exists within an array. It returns either true or false, making it a straightforward yet powerful tool for data validation.

Key Steps for Usage:

1. Use the Contains function with the syntax: contains(array, value).
2. Ensure you are referencing the correct value from your data entries, especially when working with CSV files or varied datasets.

Example:
Suppose you have a CSV with order data, and you want to check if “order 1000” exists. You will set up your function like so:

contains(map(yourArray), order1000)

Make sure to identify your data with the right index, such as COL1 for the order IDs.

Practical Tip:

Always hover over your fields to select the correct raw values when mapping. Misidentifying these can lead to unexpected results! 🧐

Avoiding the #1 Mistake

One common error users encounter is misconfiguring the mapping of their data. If you specify “order_id” rather than referencing it as COL1, you won’t get the expected results.

Surprising Fact:
Did you know that hovering over your data fields in Make.com can reveal their raw values? This makes it much easier to select the right one and function effectively. 👍

The Contains Function for Text Data

Working with Text

While primarily designed for arrays, the Contains function can also be utilized seamlessly with text. This feature is particularly user-friendly, allowing straightforward checks for substrings within larger text strings.

Implementation Steps:

1. Gather data using a text aggregator.
2. Employ the Contains function by supplying the aggregated text and the substring you wish to find.

Example:
Imagine concatenating several text entries from your CSV into a single string with commas. You can easily check if “order 2000” exists:

contains(aggregatedText, order2000)

This will return true if found, which can help streamline the logic of your automation.

Practical Tip:

When testing text data, use sample inputs that mimic your typical data configurations to ensure accurate results. 📊

Enhancing Your Workflows

Incorporating the Contains function can significantly improve your decision-making processes within automations. For instance, you can efficiently filter out entries or create conditional workflows based on the presence of specific keywords.

Quote to Remember:
“Great automation isn’t just about reducing time—it’s about increasing the accuracy of our outputs.” 🔄

Creating a Cohesive Automation Strategy

Integrating Arrays and Text

When constructing your automation workflows, consider how you can combine the functionality of both array and text searches. For instance, you can extract specific entries from an array and validate their relationships with concatenated text strings for better contextual insights.

Structured Approach:

• Begin with arrays for primary data points (like order IDs).
• Transition to text validation for broader context (like promotional messages or status updates).

Practical Tip:

Draft an outline of your automation’s logic to clarify how different functions will interact throughout your workflow. Want to visualize this? Create a simple flowchart! 🖼️

Resource Toolbox

Here are some valuable resources to further enhance your Make.com journey:

1. Make.com Official Documentation – Comprehensive guides on all Make functions.
2. Weblytica Co-Build Collective – A supportive community for entrepreneurs.
3. Get Started with Make.com – Set up your Make account easily.
4. YouTube Channel – Subscribe for ongoing video tips and tutorials.
5. LinkedIn Profile: Andy O’Neil – Connect with automation expert Andy for insights.

These resources will equip you with the knowledge and community support to master your automations! 🛠️

Wrapping Up Your Automation Skills

As you embark on using the Contains function in your workflows, remember the importance of correctly mapping your arrays and text. This knowledge is vital for ensuring accuracy and efficiency in your automations.

Final Practical Tips:

• Utilize both array and text functions where appropriate to draw comprehensive insights.
• Don’t hesitate to reach out to communities and experts when you’re stuck—you are not alone in your Make.com journey! 🙌

Embrace these insights, and watch your automation skills flourish! Your ability to effectively implement the Contains function will transform how you manage data and craft workflows in Make.com. Happy automating! 🚀