In this article, I share 10 powerful tips and tricks to supercharge your workflow in Make.com. These techniques will help you streamline your automation processes, increase efficiency, and unlock the full potential of this versatile platform.
From quick module selection to advanced JSON usage, these tips cover a range of functionality that can significantly improve your Make.com experience. I go through the entire process in the video below if you want to see them in action.
1. Shift + Click for Module Selection
One of the most basic yet extremely useful features in Make.com is the ability to select multiple modules at once. By holding Shift and clicking, you can drag a box around any number of modules.
This allows you to quickly copy and paste entire sections of your scenario, saving time when building complex workflows.
2. Using JSON
JSON is a standard format for structuring data. There are so many uses for it in Make.com, but for starters, it can significantly improve the quality and efficiency of your output from OpenAI or Claude.
For instance, when generating social media text for multiple platforms, you can structure your request as a JSON object. This allows you to receive distinct responses for each platform in a single API call, streamlining your workflow.
How to implement JSON mode with GPT4o:
- Click “Show advanced settings” at the bottom of your OpenAI module
- Select “JSON object” and check “Parse the JSON response”
- Structure your prompt to request responses for each platform
3. Updating Multiple Connections with Dev Tools
The Make.com Chrome extension offers a powerful feature for updating multiple connections at once. This can be particularly useful when working with imported blueprints or scenarios with numerous modules using the same connection.
Steps to update connections:
- Install the Make.com DevTools Chrome extension
- Press Ctrl+Shift+I to open the extension
- Go to Tools > Swap Connection
- Select the source module and run the tool
4. Using Variables
When you find yourself using the same variables frequently throughout a scenario, it’s beneficial to use a Set Variable module. This allows you to define variables in one place, making it easier to update them across your entire workflow when needed.
5. Managing Routes and Execution Order
Understanding how routes execute in Make.com is crucial for optimizing your scenarios. Sometimes, the order of execution matters even with filters in place.
To ensure the correct execution order, you can unlink all modules and then relink them in the desired sequence. Importantly, filters persist when you relink modules which means you can change the order of your routes very quickly without having to recreate your filters.
6. Using Unpassable Filters for Testing
When you want to test a specific part of your scenario without running the entire workflow, you can use an unpassable filter. This allows you to isolate and test sections of your scenario without disconnecting modules or deleting modules.
Creating an unpassable filter:
- Add a filter between modules
- Set the filter condition to “1 = 2” (always false)
7. Renaming Modules for Clarity
A simple yet effective tip is to rename your modules. Right-click on a module and select “Rename” to give it a descriptive name. This makes it much easier to reference specific modules later, especially in complex scenarios with multiple similar modules.
8. Using General Functions and Conditional Logic
Make.com’s general functions, particularly the IF statement, can greatly simplify your scenarios. By incorporating IF statements within text boxes and prompts, you can avoid unnecessary routers and reduce the complexity of your workflow.
Example use case:
- Conditionally including a “tone of voice” in your prompts depending on if it’s present in an Airtable record, doing this negates the need to use a router and unnecessary duplication of modules
- Adding randomization to your prompts for varied outputs
9. Instant vs. Scheduled Triggers
By default, many starting points in Make.com run on a schedule. However, using instant triggers can make your automations more responsive and efficient. For platforms like Airtable or Google Sheets, you can use webhooks or automations to trigger your scenarios instantly, rather than relying on scheduled checks.
10. Using HTTP to Integrate with Almost Any API
The HTTP module in Make.com is a powerful tool that allows you to integrate with virtually any API, even if there isn’t a dedicated app for it in Make.com.
- Familiarize yourself with the API documentation of the service you want to integrate.
- Set up the HTTP module with the correct method (GET, POST, PUT, etc.) and URL.
- Add necessary headers, such as authentication tokens.
- Include any required body parameters.
- Map the response data to subsequent modules in your scenario.
By mastering the HTTP module, you can overcome limitations and create custom integrations, making Make.com an even more powerful tool in your automation arsenal.
Bonus: Testing Individual Modules
This is a very basic tip, but it’s often overlooked – When developing and troubleshooting scenarios, it’s often necessary to test specific modules in isolation. You can right-click on a module and select “Run this module only” to test it with provided test variables. This allows you to verify the output of individual modules without running the entire scenario.
