🚀 Master Complex Data Processing with n8n: 10 Powerful Set Node Examples

D: Handling complex data transformations in automation workflows can be challenging. But with n8n’s Set Node, you can manipulate, combine, and structure data like a pro! 🎯 In this guide, we’ll explore 10 practical use cases of the Set Node to supercharge your workflows.

🔹 What is the Set Node?

The Set Node in n8n allows you to:
✔ Add, remove, or modify fields in your JSON data.
✔ Merge multiple inputs into a single output.
✔ Transform data structures for APIs, databases, or external tools.

🛠 10 Powerful Set Node Use Cases

1️⃣ Combine Data from Multiple Sources

Scenario: You want to merge customer details from a CRM (HubSpot) with order data (Shopify).

// Input 1 (CRM): { "name": "John Doe", "email": "john@example.com" }  
// Input 2 (Shopify): { "order_id": "12345", "product": "Laptop" }  

// Set Node Configuration:  
"Output": {  
  "customer": "={{ $input1.json.name }}",  
  "contact": "={{ $input1.json.email }}",  
  "purchase": "={{ $input2.json.product }}"  
}  

// Output:  
{ "customer": "John Doe", "contact": "john@example.com", "purchase": "Laptop" }  

2️⃣ Flatten Nested JSON for Simpler Processing

Scenario: You receive deeply nested API responses and need a cleaner format.

// Input: { "user": { "profile": { "name": "Alice", "age": 30 } } }  

// Set Node: Extract "name" and "age" to the root level.  
"Output": {  
  "name": "={{ $input.json.user.profile.name }}",  
  "age": "={{ $input.json.user.profile.age }}"  
}  

// Output: { "name": "Alice", "age": 30 }  

3️⃣ Add Conditional Fields

Scenario: Only include a “discount” field if the order total exceeds $100.

// Input: { "order_total": 150 }  

// Set Node:  
"Output": {  
  "total": "={{ $input.json.order_total }}",  
  "discount": "={{ $input.json.order_total > 100 ? '10%' : null }}"  
}  

// Output: { "total": 150, "discount": "10%" }  

4️⃣ Convert Data Types (String → Number)

Scenario: An API returns numeric values as strings, but you need them as numbers.

// Input: { "price": "99.99" }  

// Set Node:  
"Output": {  
  "price": "={{ Number($input.json.price) }}"  
}  

// Output: { "price": 99.99 }  

5️⃣ Create Custom Error Messages

Scenario: Validate form submissions and return user-friendly errors.

// Input: { "email": "invalid-email" }  

// Set Node:  
"Output": {  
  "email": "={{ $input.json.email }}",  
  "error": "={{ !$input.json.email.includes('@') ? 'Invalid email format' : '' }}"  
}  

// Output: { "email": "invalid-email", "error": "Invalid email format" }  

6️⃣ Generate Dynamic Timestamps

Scenario: Log when a workflow runs with a timestamp.

// Set Node:  
"Output": {  
  "event": "Data processed",  
  "timestamp": "={{ new Date().toISOString() }}"  
}  

// Output: { "event": "Data processed", "timestamp": "2023-11-15T12:00:00Z" }  

7️⃣ Merge Arrays from Different Sources

Scenario: Combine two lists of products into one catalog.

// Input 1: { "products": ["Laptop", "Phone"] }  
// Input 2: { "items": ["Monitor", "Keyboard"] }  

// Set Node:  
"Output": {  
  "all_products": "={{ $input1.json.products.concat($input2.json.items) }}"  
}  

// Output: { "all_products": ["Laptop", "Phone", "Monitor", "Keyboard"] }  

8️⃣ Mask Sensitive Data

Scenario: Hide credit card numbers in logs.

// Input: { "card": "1234-5678-9012-3456" }  

// Set Node:  
"Output": {  
  "card": "={{ '****-****-****-' + $input.json.card.slice(-4) }}"  
}  

// Output: { "card": "****-****-****-3456" }  

9️⃣ Calculate Derived Values

Scenario: Compute tax based on subtotal.

// Input: { "subtotal": 200 }  

// Set Node:  
"Output": {  
  "subtotal": "={{ $input.json.subtotal }}",  
  "tax": "={{ $input.json.subtotal * 0.1 }}",  
  "total": "={{ $input.json.subtotal * 1.1 }}"  
}  

// Output: { "subtotal": 200, "tax": 20, "total": 220 }  

🔟 Rename Fields for Consistency

Scenario: Standardize keys before sending to a database.

// Input: { "FirstName": "Emma", "user_age": 28 }  

// Set Node:  
"Output": {  
  "name": "={{ $input.json.FirstName }}",  
  "age": "={{ $input.json.user_age }}"  
}  

// Output: { "name": "Emma", "age": 28 }  

🎉 Final Tips for Set Node Mastery

✅ Use JavaScript expressions (={{ }}) for dynamic values.
✅ Test transformations with the “Execute Node” button.
✅ Combine with other nodes like Function or IF for advanced logic.

With these 10 Set Node techniques, you can handle almost any data transformation in n8n! 🚀 Which one will you try first?

💬 Let’s Discuss! Have a unique Set Node use case? Share it in the comments! 👇