Formatter by Zapier

Formatter is a step you drop into a Zap when the data coming in doesn't match what the next app expects. It handles text, numbers, dates and times, plus a few utilities.

Common jobs are splitting a full name into first and last name, changing a date from 11/05/2025 to 2025-05-11, putting a phone number into international format, or using a lookup table to turn a product ID into a name people recognise. It can also set a default value when a field is empty, so later steps don't fail.

Formatter steps don't count towards your task usage. Zapier lists Formatter as a paid feature, so you'll need Professional or higher to use it.

Most Zaps I build have at least one Formatter step. Messy data is behind a lot of the errors I'm asked to fix, and it's far cheaper to tidy it in the Zap than to clean it up in ClickUp or a CRM later.

I always map the Formatter step's output into the next action, not the original field. It's an easy slip, and it's the usual reason someone says their Formatter step isn't working.

1. Trigger New enquiry from the website form 0 tasks
2. Formatter Split the full name into first and last name 0 tasks
3. Formatter Put the UK phone number into international format 0 tasks
4. Formatter Lookup table turns the service code into a plain name 0 tasks
5. Action Create the lead task in ClickUp 1 task