Transformation Step

The Transformation step in RiskOS™ lets you manipulate data within a workflow using a set of predefined, stateless functions. Transformations do not maintain state; they operate only on the data provided as inputs at the time of execution.

For example, you can use the CONCAT function to combine firstName and surName into a single fullName variable. That new variable becomes immediately available to downstream steps, simplifying logic and reducing duplication.

Placement in a workflow

A Transformation step can be placed anywhere in a workflow, depending on your logic.
Common patterns include:
- Right after the Input step to normalize incoming data.
- Before a Condition step to prepare data for evaluation.
- After an Enrichment step to parse out specific data.

Configure a Transformation step

Add the Transformation step to your workflow, then click the step to open the side panel.
Select a Function from the dropdown (see Available functions below).

Provide input parameters for the function:
- Value: For static values (e.g., strings, numbers).
- Variable: For dynamic inputs, such as payload fields or outputs from prior steps.
Specify the output field name.
- The function’s result is stored in this field.
- Use it later with $[output_field_name].
- Example: If you name the output field fullName, reference it downstream as $fullName.

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Note:
You can customize the Transformation step’s label by editing the text field at the top of the side panel.

Available functions

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Note:
This catalog lists supported stateless functions. Check release notes regularly to confirm the latest set of functions available in your environment.

String functions

Transformation	Input	Output	Description
`STARTSWITH`	String + substring	Boolean	True if a string starts with the substring (ignores leading whitespace).
`ENDSWITH`	String + substring	Boolean	True if a string ends with the substring (ignores trailing whitespace).
`LENGTH`	String	Numeric	Returns the string length.
`CONTAINS`	String + substring	Boolean	True if the string contains the substring.
`TO_LOWER_CASE`	String	String	Converts to lowercase.
`CONCAT`	Multiple strings	String	Joins strings into one.
`SPLIT`	String + separator	Array	Splits string into an array of substrings.
`FIRST_N`	String + numeric value	String	Returns the first n characters.
`REVERSE`	String	String	Reverses a string.
`JARO_WINKLER_DISTANCE`	Two strings	Numeric	Calculates similarity using Jaro-Winkler distance. This function does not normalize the input strings.
`SIAMESE_JARO_WINKLER_DISTANCE`	Two strings	Numeric	Calculates similarity using Jaro-Winkler distance optimized for names; normalizes input, tokenizes, and alphabetically sorts tokens (so "Ryan Reisling" ≈ "Reisling Ryan").
`SUBSTRING`	String + start + end positions	String	Extracts substring between two positions.

Numerical functions

Transformation	Input	Output	Description
`DIVISION`	Two numbers	Numeric	Returns quotient.
`MULTIPLICATION`	Two numbers	Numeric	Returns product.
`SUM`	One or more numbers	Numeric	Returns total.
`MODULUS`	Two numbers	Numeric	Returns remainder.
`SUBTRACT`	Two numbers	Numeric	Returns the difference.
`RANDOM_NUMBER`	Min + max values	Numeric	Returns a random number within range.

Array functions

Transformation	Input	Output	Description
`IS_IN_ARRAY_ANY`	String(s) + array	Boolean	True if any element is in the array.
`IS_IN_ARRAY_ALL`	String(s) + array	Boolean	True if all elements are in the array.
`JOIN`	Array	String	Joins array elements into a space-separated string.
`ARRAY_LENGTH`	Array	Numeric	Returns the number of elements.
`COUNT_DISTINCT`	Array	Numeric	Returns the number of unique items.

Date functions

Transformation	Input	Output	Description
`DATE_DIFF_IN_DAYS`	Two dates (ISO) or date + “today”	Numeric	Days between two dates.
`CALCULATE_AGE`	Date of birth (ISO)	Numeric	Age in years.
`TIME_DIFF_IN_SECS`	Two timestamps (ISO)	Numeric	Seconds between two timestamps.

Special functions

Transformation	Input	Output	Description
`GEO_DISTANCE_LAT_LONG`	Two lat/long coordinate pairs	Numeric	Distance (in km) between two coordinates.
`EXTRACT_EMAIL_HANDLE`	Email address	String	Returns the part after “@”.
`EXTRACT_EMAIL_USER`	Email address	String	Returns the part before “@”.
`IS_NULL`	Any	Boolean	True if the value is null.
`COPY`	Any	Any	Copies input to output.
`DECLARE_CUSTOM_VARIABLE`	Any	Any	Declares a custom variable to use later (e.g., as input to another step).
`INSPECT_VALUE`	Any	Any	Shows the value and type of a given variable name. Useful for workflow debugging.

Best practices

Place transformations where they add clarity or efficiency — e.g., normalize data early, simplify condition checks, or prep values before decisions.
Use clear names for output fields so they’re self-explanatory in downstream steps.
Validate transformation results with test payloads to avoid logic errors.