# Convert value

Source: https://neondeerdata.com/docs/platform/automations/steps/convert-value/

Step · Transform

Converts an input to a standardized text representation of the selected type.

## Inputs

| Label       | Key           | Type                                                                              | Required | Notes                                                       |
| ----------- | ------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- |
| Input value | `input`       | Text                                                                              | Yes      | Non-text wired values are converted to text first. Trimmed. |
| Target type | `target_type` | Choice: String, Boolean, Number, Integer, Date (YYYY-MM-DD), Timestamp (ISO 8601) | Yes      | A saved step with no value runs as String.                  |

## Outputs

###  Branch Converted (`converted`)

| Label | Key     | Type | Always set | Notes                                  |
| ----- | ------- | ---- | ---------- | -------------------------------------- |
| Value | `value` | Text | Yes        | Always text, whatever the target type. |

###  Branch Invalid input (`invalid_input`)

| Label         | Key             | Type | Always set | Notes |
| ------------- | --------------- | ---- | ---------- | ----- |
| Error message | `error_message` | Text | Yes        |       |

## How it behaves

- Boolean: case-insensitive `true`, `yes`, `y`, `1`, `on`, `checked` become `true`; `false`, `no`, `n`, `0`, `off`, `unchecked` become `false`.
- Number: any finite JavaScript number, output in canonical form. Integer: digits with an optional leading minus only.
- Date: input in `YYYY-MM-DD` form must be a real calendar date and is returned as is. Any other parseable date string is converted to its UTC date.
- Timestamp: any parseable date string, output as ISO 8601 in UTC.
- Empty input takes Invalid input (`Input is empty.`) for every target except String.

## Errors

For errors that every step can return, see [Troubleshooting](https://neondeerdata.com/docs/platform/automations/troubleshooting/).

## Notes

- A value that cannot be converted takes the Invalid input branch; the step does not fail.

## Example

Standardize a "Yes" answer from a form to the text `true`, and send answers that are not yes or no to the Invalid input branch.

**Example inputs**

| Input       | Value   |
| ----------- | ------- |
| Input value | Yes     |
| Target type | Boolean |

**Example outputs**

| Output | Value |
| ------ | ----- |
| Value  | true  |

Value is the text `true`, not a true/false value. An input such as "maybe" takes the Invalid input branch with the Error message `"maybe" is not a recognizable boolean.`; the step does not fail.