Variable Not Receiving Value from Parsed JSON Field (Make Ignores It Despite Correct Mapping)

Questions
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1

Hi everyone,

I’m facing a weird issue when trying to assign a parsed JSON field value to a variable in Make.

:magnifying_glass_tilted_left: Context:

  • I’m parsing a JSON from a WhatsApp form using the Parse JSON module.
  • The field screen_0_Telefono_Mvil_4 (a phone number) appears correctly in the JSON output (e.g., 665533552).
  • I try to map it using Set variable or Set multiple variables, or even directly into Google Sheets, but it shows up as empty.
  • All other fields from the same JSON work perfectly (name, email, etc.).
    JSON module
    JSON module536×507 61.7 KB

    Set Variable module
    Set Variable module668×351 48 KB

    Set variable result
    Set variable result578×345 14.3 KB

:white_check_mark: What I’ve tested:

  • Mapping the field directly from the parsed JSON (selected via UI, not typed).
  • Using toString() to ensure the value is treated as a string.
  • Logging the variable right after setting it (it’s still empty).
  • Mapping other fields from the same JSON bundle — they work fine.
  • The value exists in the bundle and is a valid number (e.g., 665533552).
  • Tried using Set variable, Set multiple variables, and direct mapping into Google Sheets — always ends up empty for this specific field.

:light_bulb: Additional Clues:

  • The JSON field name is: screen_0_Telefono_Mvil_4 (no special characters, no typos).
  • Make lets me select it from the UI dropdown (so it’s recognized as a valid field).
  • Yet when mapped to a variable, it resolves as empty.

:red_question_mark:Main question:

Has anyone experienced a situation where Make silently drops a field’s value when mapping it to a variable, even though it appears in the JSON output and is selectable in the UI?

Any tips on how to debug further or force Make to treat it correctly?

Thanks in advance

A.

1 Like
2

Hi @Celon_Media_Agency,

I’ve seen this happen when a field name contains a hidden special character, like an accented letter or something non-ASCII. It can show up fine in the JSON output and dropdown, but then fail silently when used in modules like Set variable or Google Sheets. I think that’s what is happening here.

One thing that helps is using the Parse JSON module with a clean schema or referencing the field using the get() function like this:

get(1; “screen_0_Telefono_Mvil_4”)

You can also try replacing special characters in the raw JSON before parsing. Sometimes that’s the only way to get Make to treat the field correctly.

1 Like
3

Thanks for your help! Unfortunately, after trying everything you suggested, it still didn’t work. In the end, I created a new form without any accented or non-ASCII characters in the parameter names — and it worked like a charm.

As you suspected, the issue was indeed related to non-ASCII characters.
Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction!

A.

1 Like
4

Wonderful to hear! Anytime!