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# makeData

> Use the makeData task to convert an input string into a different data type.

The `makeData` task converts an input string into a different data type. Supported output types are boolean, json, number, and string.

## Potential use case

The `makeData` task is typically used in conjunction with a preceding task to convert incoming data into a format (type) usable by a following task. It can also be used independently, with the `variables` input used when converting a string that references data from a previous task. In some of the examples below, you'll see how you can achieve the same result with or without using a variable.

## Properties

| Incoming     | Type   | Description                                                                                                                              |
| :----------- | :----- | :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `input`      | String | Required. The input to convert into a data type. Variables are wrapped with `<!!>`.                                                      |
| `outputType` | Enum   | Required. The type of output. Allowed values are `boolean`, `json`, `number`, and `string`.                                              |
| `variables`  | Object | Optional. A key-value object used in string interpolation, defined when the `<!!>` variable syntax is used within the `input` parameter. |

| Outgoing | Type                             | Description         |
| :------- | :------------------------------- | :------------------ |
| `output` | Boolean, Json, Number, or String | The converted data. |

## Example 1 — convert to string

* The `input` reference variable is the string `Who are you <!var1!>`.
* The `outputType` is `string`.
* The `variables` object for the wrapped variable `<!var1!>` is defined as `"I'm Batman"`.

![](/_fern-img/88321eaf66ef1dfd1f3a9a17623570fb5c4d4a02504a67340022b250f3bf5406.webp)

The `output` returns a string that combines `"Who are you"` with the variable `"I'm Batman"`.

![](/_fern-img/506fe1473ac50eed1fcb5adab8e8246701aa8cdd01b4ad14ebb8e40b1a25741b.webp)

## Example 2 — convert to JSON

* The `input` string is `{"name":"<!var1!>","last":"Wayne"}`.
* The `outputType` is `json`.
* The `variables` object is `{"var1":"Bruce"}`.

![](/_fern-img/7871ef006772b6a7b3187be96b548aec4666b93d4de35158d02b28331a88d23a.webp)

Alternatively, you can use `{"name":"Bruce","last":"Wayne"}` as the `input` string with no `variables` object defined.

![](/_fern-img/71ea389a38777c75c4b9a104e6c134b6795890cf9bd7c867c05a3ca0d9cb20cc.webp)

The `output` for both approaches is the same: `{"name":"Bruce","last":"Wayne"}`.

![](/_fern-img/cb0e771a83d6383a124e2d75a798d9611948f1435c4d57c96722fd36f48c933f.webp)

## Example 3 — convert to number

* The `input` variable is defined as `<!var!>` and the `outputType` converts the data to a number.
* The `variables` object is `{"var1":"42"}`, with the number `42` in the key-value.

![](/_fern-img/7aa772e95e21c7cf78fa12985beeadc4d39aca67204e6789895611b9badf9ce8.webp)

Alternatively, the non-variable `input` can use the number `42` directly.

![](/_fern-img/df59adc23ca4e40b7d165f53b28368372888cf815fff8d983d62ee71ca0a6be6.webp)

Both approaches produce the same `output`: the number `42`.

![](/_fern-img/6b7eec209d0192873be09b5c888db191f70bf04bcfd03b79298bacdd63346c61.webp)

## Example 4 — convert to boolean

* The `input` variable is defined as `<!boolean!>`.
* The `outputType` is `boolean`.
* The `variables` object is `{"boolean":true}`.

![](/_fern-img/1356b3a94a6a00324e40145cb2b2fdb22d0b510080703b657b9af3ad7e5040f1.webp)

The `output` returns `true`.

![](/_fern-img/0744bf32f4c659e85266433926012363d81b678637f47b9d89654011e4b92bde.webp)

> Use the makeData task to convert an input string into a different data type.