Convert Text
The Convert Text action converts text between HTML, Markdown, and Plaintext. Use it when one action provides content in one format and a later action or integration needs a different format.
When to Use This Action
Use this action when:
- You need HTML for an email body, ticket note, or API field
- You need Plaintext from an HTML email body or rich text response
- You need to convert Markdown from another action into HTML
- You want to normalize text before storing it for later actions
Don't use this action for:
- Simple text rendering: Use Render Text and Store as Variable when you do not need format conversion.
- Text extraction: Use Extract Strings or Perform a Regular Expression Match when you need to extract values.
- Advanced HTML layout conversion: This action handles common text formatting, not full web page layout preservation.
How It Works
- The action renders Text to Convert, including any text expressions.
- The action reads From Format and To Format.
- The action converts the rendered text into the selected output format.
- The action stores the converted string in the result variable you configure.
Configuration
| Field | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Text to Convert | Select an available property or unlock the field and enter custom text. Supports text expressions such as {{email.body}} or {{custom.previousResult}}. | Empty |
| From Format | The current format of the input text. Options: HTML, Markdown, Plaintext. | Plaintext |
| To Format | The format to produce. Options: HTML, Markdown, Plaintext. | HTML |
Format Notes
| Conversion | Notes |
|---|---|
| HTML to Plaintext | Removes HTML tags and returns readable text. |
| HTML to Markdown | Converts common tags such as headings, paragraphs, links, emphasis, code blocks, lists, blockquotes, images, and simple tables. |
| Markdown to HTML | Converts Markdown to HTML and strips raw HTML from the Markdown input. |
| Markdown to Plaintext | Converts Markdown to HTML first, then returns readable text. |
| Plaintext to HTML | Escapes unsafe characters and preserves line breaks. |
| Plaintext to Markdown | Escapes Markdown control characters so the output preserves literal text. |
HTML output uses line breaks and indentation so the result is easier to read in history logs and later action steps.
Simple HTML tables convert to Markdown tables. If a table does not include header cells, the action uses the first row as the Markdown table header. Complex table features such as nested tables, row spans, and column spans may not preserve the original table layout.
Returned Variables
When you configure Store the results in Variable, the converted text becomes available for subsequent actions.
| Variable | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| (root) | string | The converted text result |
Access the result with {{custom.<variableName>}}, where <variableName> is the variable name you assign to this action.
Examples
Convert an Email Body to Plaintext
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Text to Convert | {{email.bodyparts.html}} |
| From Format | HTML |
| To Format | Plaintext |
Use the result in an AI prompt, ticket summary, or plain text notification.
Convert Markdown to HTML
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Text to Convert | {{custom.markdownSummary}} |
| From Format | Markdown |
| To Format | HTML |
Use the result in an HTML email body or API field that expects HTML.