Editing Format Data (section)

== Use the “Format Data” automation action ==
The '''Format Data''' action in ActiveCampaign automations is a powerful tool designed to help you clean up or modify data in your contact, deal, and account fields. This feature is critical as it ensures that your data remains clean, consistent, and up-to-date, which is essential for effective marketing campaigns and customer relationship management.

=== How to Access This Feature ===
To access the '''Format Data''' action, follow these steps:
1. Navigate to the automation where you want to add the action.
2. Click on the (+) node where the action will be added.
3. Select **Workflow** and then **Format Data** from the drop-down menu. Alternatively, you can use the search feature in the “Add an Action” window to find this action.

=== Step-by-Step Instructions ===
This section details how to set up different operations within the '''Format Data''' action.

==== General Steps ====
1. From your automation, click on the (+) node to add the action.
2. Select **Workflow** > **Format Data**.
3. Choose the specific operation you wish to perform.

==== Specific Operations ====
1. **Copy Field Values**
   - Available on Plus, Professional, and Enterprise plans.
   - Click **Copy field values** and select the **From which field?** dropdown to choose the source field.
   - Then, select the **To which field?** dropdown to choose the destination field.
   - Click **Save** to finish.

2. **Extract Phone Numbers or URLs**
   - Available on Plus, Professional, and Enterprise plans.
   - Select **Extract phone numbers or URLs** from the available operations.
   - Enter the input field containing the phone number or URL.
   - Choose the required output format (e.g., E.164, Protocol).
   - Click **Save**.

3. **Capitalize a Field**
   - Available on Plus, Professional, and Enterprise plans.
   - Choose the **Capitalize a field** operation.
   - Select the appropriate capitalization style (Title Case, Sentence Case, Proper Case, Upper Case, Lower Case).
   - Click **Save**.

4. **Add or Remove Time from a Date Field**
   - Available on Professional and Enterprise plans.
   - Select this option and specify the number of days to add or subtract from the date field.
   - Click **Save**.

5. **Perform Math**
   - Available on Professional and Enterprise plans.
   - You can perform operations like adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing numbers.
   - Input values in the fields provided and select a math function.
   - Optionally, you can use the **Advanced math** feature for more complex calculations.
   - Click **Save** when done.

=== Configuration Options and Settings ===
The '''Format Data''' action provides several configuration options, each catering to specific needs:

* '''Copy Field Values''': Allows the transfer of values between fields of similar types.
* '''Extract Phone Numbers or URLs''': This feature allows you to extract formatted numbers or URLs from text fields.
* '''Capitalize a Field''': Offers various formatting styles to change how text is displayed.
* '''Add or Remove Time from a Date Field''': Lets you adjust date fields by a specified number of days.
* '''Perform Math''': This option allows you to execute mathematical operations on numeric fields.

=== Best Practices and Tips ===
- Always ensure that the input field contains relevant data; if no value exists, the action will be skipped.
- Use the '''Copy Field Values''' option judiciously to avoid overwriting important data inadvertently.
- Test operations like **Extract Phone Numbers or URLs** with sample data to verify formatting options.
- Be cautious when using '''Capitalize a Field''' as it may not accurately capitalize characters in non-English texts.

=== Common Use Cases ===
1. **Cleaning up Contact Information**: Utilize the '''Format Data''' action to ensure that all phone numbers in your contact fields conform to the same format, essential for consistent communication.
2. **Data Aggregation**: Use the **Copy Field Values** option to aggregate information from multiple fields into one for easier reporting and analysis.
3. **Adjusting Dates for Follow-ups**: Add or remove days from date fields to automate follow-up reminders and other date-sensitive actions within your automations.

=== Troubleshooting ===
If you encounter issues while using the '''Format Data''' action:
- Check that the input field is populated; if empty, the action will not execute.
- Ensure the fields are compatible and correctly mapped, particularly when using the '''Copy Field Values''' option.
- Review the formatting choices in the extraction of phone numbers or URLs for continued compliance with standards.

=== Related Features ===
The '''Format Data''' action integrates well with several other features in ActiveCampaign:
* [[Automations]]: Use with automations to trigger actions based on contact behavior.
* [[Actions]]: Explore additional actions that can be automated for improved data handling and management.

=== FAQ ===
'''Q1: What plans offer the Format Data action?'''
A: The '''Format Data''' action is available on the Plus, Professional, and Enterprise plans.

'''Q2: Can I use the Format Data action without a deal trigger?'''
A: Yes, but in that case, the most recently created deal for the contact will be used as default.

'''Q3: What happens if my input field has no value?'''
A: If the input field is empty, the contact will skip the automation action.

'''Q4: Can I perform advanced calculations in the Format Data action?'''
A: Yes, you can use the **Advanced math** function to perform more intricate calculations.

'''Q5: Is the Format Data action available for account fields?'''
A: Yes, it can be used with contact, deal, and account fields, depending on your plan.

'''Q6: How does the date adjustment feature work?'''
A: You can add or subtract a specified number of days from a date or datetime field, with only the date being affected.

'''Q7: Are there specific formatting recommendations for phone numbers?'''
A: It's recommended to format phone numbers to E.164 especially if you are using SMS or WhatsApp features. 

By using the '''Format Data''' automation action, ActiveCampaign users can enhance the integrity and usability of their data throughout marketing campaigns and customer engagement strategies.
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