MID

Use the MID function to extract a specified number of characters from a text value, starting at a given position.

Use

MID( text, start_num, num_chars )
Returns a specific number of characters from a text value starting at the given position.

Parameter	Required	Description
text	Yes	the text containing characters to return
start_num	Yes	the position of the first character to extract (starting from 1)
num_chars	Yes	the number of characters to extract

Returns

Text

Examples

Extracting a Sub-Code from a Project ID

In an Input Mapping Formula, you can use MID to isolate a specific segment of a structured text string captured in a previous step.

• Scenario: Your organization uses a project reference format like "PRJ-2024-LON" where characters 5 through 8 represent the fiscal year. You want to extract just the year to display it in a separate field on an approval form.
• Formula: MID(@Trigger.out.ProjectReference, 5, 4)
• Logic:
  • @Trigger.out.ProjectReference: The text string captured from the trigger form.
  • 5: The starting position (the 5th character, where "2" begins).
  • 4: The number of characters to extract (the four digits of the year).
• Result: If the reference is "PRJ-2024-LON", the function returns "2024".

Extracting Segments from Numeric Data

You can use MID to extract specific digits from numeric properties, such as a Run Number. However, because MID is a text function, you must first convert the number to text using the TEXT function.

• Scenario: You have a 5-digit employee ID number (e.g., 98765) where the middle two digits (76) represent a specific department code. You need to extract this code to use in a Path Condition Formula for a branch step.
• Formula: MID(TEXT(@Trigger.out.EmployeeID), 3, 2)
• Logic:
  • TEXT(@Trigger.out.EmployeeID): Converts the numeric ID into a Text data type so MID can process it.
  • 3: The starting position (the 3rd digit).
  • 2: The number of characters to extract.
• Result: If the ID is 98765, the function returns the text string "76".

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Pro Tip: Always remember that the start_num and num_chars parameters must be Number values. If you attempt to use MID on an Array of text, the function will not work; you would first need to use an array function like INDEX or FIRST to isolate a single text string from the collection.