Working with data in n8n means shaping information so it is clean, correct, and ready to be used by the next app or node. Most workflow failures happen not because the integration is wrong, but because the data format is not what the next step expects. These tools help you control that.
Set (select, rename, create fields)
The Set node is used to create a clean output structure. You can:
- keep only the fields you need (remove extra fields)
- rename fields (for example
cust_name→Customer Name) - create new fields (for example add
source = "Website Form") - combine fields (first name + last name)
This is useful before sending data to a CRM, email, or database.
Merge (combine data from two paths)
The Merge node combines two inputs into one. It is useful when:
- you fetch customer details from one app and order details from another
- you run two branches in parallel and want one combined output
You can merge by position, by key fields, or by matching items depending on your workflow logic.
Split (break data into smaller parts)
“Split” in n8n usually means separating multiple items so you can process them properly. This is useful when:
- an API returns a list of records and you need to handle each one
- you want to loop through rows, emails, or transactions
Common tools include item handling and splitting lists into individual items for processing.
Format (make data acceptable for the next system)
Formatting includes:
- date/time formatting (ISO format vs readable format)
- numbers and currency formatting
- text cleanup (trim spaces, standardise case)
- converting JSON fields into the right structure
When you use Set, Merge, Split, and formatting properly, your workflow becomes stable, readable, and much easier to scale.
