Function Item consultants

Q: What is the difference between the Function and Function Item nodes?

The Function node receives all items as an array and processes them together. The Function Item node processes items one at a time, running your code once per item. Use Function Item when your transformation logic applies independently to each record. Use Function when you need to work across items, such as aggregating totals, deduplicating, or merging records.

Q: What kind of JavaScript can I write in the Function Item node?

You can use standard ES6+ JavaScript including string methods, array operations, Math functions, Date handling, JSON parsing, and regular expressions. You can also access n8n helper methods like $item() for referencing data from earlier nodes. External npm packages are not available, but the built-in JavaScript capabilities cover most data transformation needs.

Q: When should I use Function Item instead of a Set or Rename node?

Use Set or Rename nodes for simple field assignments and renaming. Use Function Item when you need conditional logic, calculations, string manipulation, data type conversion, or any transformation that requires more than a straightforward value assignment. If your expression in a Set node is getting complicated, it is time to move to a Function Item node.

Q: Can the Function Item node access data from previous nodes?

Yes. You can reference output from earlier nodes using n8n's expression syntax within your JavaScript code. This lets you combine data from multiple sources, such as enriching a CRM record with data fetched from an API in a previous step, or applying conditional logic based on values from different nodes.

Q: How do I handle errors inside a Function Item node?

Wrap your code in a try/catch block. In the catch block, you can return a modified item with an error flag or throw an error to stop the workflow. For production workflows, it is good practice to add error handling so that one malformed item does not halt processing of the entire batch.

Q: Can Osher write custom Function Item logic for our workflows?

Yes. Our n8n developers write and test custom JavaScript transformations as part of every data processing project. We document the logic clearly so your team can maintain and extend it. Common examples include parsing CSV text into structured objects, normalising address formats, and calculating derived fields from raw data.

We can help you automate your business with Function Item and hundreds of other systems to improve efficiency and productivity. Get in touch if you’d like to discuss implementing Function Item.

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About Function Item

The Function Item node in n8n runs custom JavaScript code on each item that passes through the workflow, one at a time. It is the single-item counterpart to the Function node (which processes all items at once), and it is ideal when you need to transform, reshape, or enrich individual data records.

Where the built-in n8n nodes handle common tasks like HTTP requests and database queries, the Function Item node fills the gaps. Need to reformat a date string? Parse a nested JSON object? Calculate a value from multiple fields? Strip HTML tags from text? This node lets you write the exact JavaScript you need, applied to each item individually.

The node receives each item as a JSON object, runs your code, and returns the modified item. You have access to standard JavaScript methods plus n8n’s built-in helper functions. You can add new fields, remove existing ones, or completely restructure the data shape before passing it to the next node.

At Osher, we use Function Item nodes in nearly every data processing workflow we build. They are essential for cleaning up data from APIs that return inconsistent formats, mapping fields between systems with different schemas, and preparing data for downstream nodes that expect a specific structure. Our n8n consulting team writes clean, well-documented function code that future developers can maintain.

Function Item FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about how Function Item consultants can help with integration and implementation

What is the difference between the Function and Function Item nodes?

What kind of JavaScript can I write in the Function Item node?

When should I use Function Item instead of a Set or Rename node?

Can the Function Item node access data from previous nodes?

How do I handle errors inside a Function Item node?

Can Osher write custom Function Item logic for our workflows?

How it works

We work hand-in-hand with you to implement Function Item

As Function Item consultants we work with you hand in hand build more efficient and effective operations. Here’s how we will work with you to automate your business and integrate Function Item with integrate and automate 800+ tools.

Step 1

Process Audit

We review your data flows and identify where incoming data does not match the format required by downstream systems. This includes documenting field naming inconsistencies, data type mismatches, missing calculated fields, and any manual data cleaning steps your team currently performs.

Step 2

Identify Automation Opportunities

We map out specific data transformations that Function Item nodes can handle. Common opportunities include reformatting dates between systems, parsing free-text fields into structured data, calculating prices with tax, normalising phone numbers, and stripping or converting HTML content.

Step 3

Design Workflows

We design workflows with Function Item nodes positioned at the right points in the data pipeline. Each node gets a clear specification: input data shape, transformation logic, output data shape, and error handling behaviour. We choose between Function Item and Function nodes based on whether processing is per-item or cross-item.

Step 4

Implementation

We write the JavaScript code for each Function Item node, test it against sample data, and deploy it into your n8n workflows. Code follows consistent formatting and includes inline comments explaining non-obvious logic. Error handling wraps all code so malformed items are logged rather than crashing the workflow.

Step 5

Quality Assurance Review

We test each Function Item node with real data, including edge cases like null values, empty strings, unexpected data types, and malformed inputs. We verify that output data matches the expected schema and that error handling works correctly for bad records.

Step 6

Support and Maintenance

When upstream APIs change their response format or downstream systems update their data requirements, we update the Function Item code to match. We also refactor overly complex function logic into cleaner code as workflows evolve over time.

Transform your business with Function Item

Unlock hidden efficiencies, reduce errors, and position your business for scalable growth. Contact us to arrange a no-obligation Function Item consultation.

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