Skip to content

Merge Task

Overview

The Merge task combines multiple columns or values into a single result. It can merge columns horizontally (combining fields), merge values vertically (joining array values), or do both. It's the opposite of the Split task.

When to Use

Use the Merge task when you need to:

  • Combine multiple columns/fields into one field
  • Join array values into a delimited string
  • Merge indexed columns (like item_1, item_2, item_3)
  • Create full names from first/last name fields
  • Flatten data structures
  • Consolidate columns matching a pattern

Settings

Key / Column name

Required | Type: Text field | Taggable: Yes

The target location for the merged result. Use dot notation for nested paths.

Action

Required | Type: Select dropdown | Default: Merge values

Choose what to merge:

  • Merge values (merge_values): Combines array values into a single string (vertical merge)
  • Merge columns (merge_columns): Combines multiple columns into one (horizontal merge)
  • Merge both (merge_both): Merges columns, then joins resulting values into a string

Key merge method

Type: Select dropdown | Conditional: Only when Action is "Merge columns" or "Merge both"

How to identify columns to merge:

  • Column key names: Specify exact column names
  • Indexed name: Merge numbered columns (e.g., item_1, item_2)
  • Regular expression: Match columns with regex pattern

Column keys that need to be merged

Type: Grid field | Taggable: Yes | Sortable: Yes | Conditional: Only when using Column key names

List exact column names to merge (in order).

Regex to match keys

Type: Text field | Taggable: Yes | Conditional: Only when using Regular expression

Regex pattern to match column names (e.g., ^item_ matches columns starting with "item_").

Indexed key

Type: Text field | Taggable: Yes | Default: {*key*}_{*index*} | Conditional: Only when using Indexed name

Template for indexed column names. Wildcards: - {*key*} - Key/Column name - {*index*} - Index number

Index starts with

Type: Number | Default: 0 | Conditional: Only when using Indexed name

Starting number for index.

Index ends with

Type: Number | Conditional: Only when using Indexed name

Ending number for index (optional). Leave empty to merge until no more matching columns found.

Remove original key(s)?

Type: Switch | Default: No | Conditional: Only when Action is "Merge columns" or "Merge both"

Whether to delete original columns after merging.

Separator

Type: Select dropdown | Customizable | Default: Comma | Conditional: Only when Action is "Merge values" or "Merge both"

Character(s) to join values with: - Comma (,), Semicolon (;), Space, Tab ({*tab*}), New line ({*nl*}) - Custom: Any string

Merge columns type

Type: Column type selector | Optional | Conditional: Only when Action is "Merge columns" or "Merge both"

Apply data type transformation to merged columns before combining.

Merge values type

Type: Column type selector | Optional | Conditional: Only when Action is "Merge values" or "Merge both"

Apply transformation to final merged value.

How It Works

Merge Values

  1. Gets array from Key / Column name
  2. Joins values with Separator
  3. Applies value type transformation (if configured)
  4. Returns string

Merge Columns

  1. Identifies columns using the configured method
  2. Applies column type transformation (if configured)
  3. Merges columns into target location
  4. Removes originals (if configured)

Merge Both

Combines both: merges columns into array, then joins values into string.

Use Cases

Create Full Name

Configuration: - Key: full_name - Action: Merge columns - Method: Column key names (first_name, last_name) - Separator: Space

Result: {first_name: "John", last_name: "Doe"} → {full_name: "John Doe"}

Join Array Values

Configuration: - Key: tags - Action: Merge values - Separator: Comma

Result: {tags: ["tag1", "tag2", "tag3"]} → {tags: "tag1,tag2,tag3"}

Merge Indexed Columns

Configuration: - Key: items - Action: Merge columns - Method: Indexed name (item_{*index*}) - Start: 1, End: 3 - Remove original: Yes

Result: {item_1: "A", item_2: "B", item_3: "C"} → {items: ["A", "B", "C"]}

Combine Address

Configuration: - Key: address - Action: Merge both - Method: Column key names (street, city, state, zip) - Separator: Comma

Result: Combines address fields into single comma-separated string

Best Practices

Choose the Right Action: Merge values for arrays→strings, merge columns for fields→array, merge both for fields→string.

Use Indexed Names for Patterns: When dealing with numbered fields (item_1, item_2), use indexed name method.

Consider Separator Choice: Choose separators appropriate for your data (comma for CSV, space for names, etc.).

Apply Type Transformations: Use column/value types to clean or convert data during merge.

Remove Originals Carefully: Only remove original columns if you're sure you won't need them later.

Notes

  • Merge values requires an array; merge columns works with object keys
  • Empty values are included in merges (can result in double separators)
  • Indexed merge stops when no more matching columns are found (unless end index specified)
  • Regex patterns are matched against column names (case-sensitive by default)
  • Column order in merge determines output order
  • Wildcards in indexed key template are case-sensitive
  • Type transformations apply before merging