For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.getmesa.com/llms.txt). This page is also available as [Markdown](https://docs.getmesa.com/tools/filter.md). The **Filter** tool is a step that lets you stop your workflow based on the conditions you set. A Filter is different than a [Path](https://docs.getmesa.com/tools/paths) because it controls whether or not your workflow continues. A Path continues the workflow for a different outcome based on the conditions set. You should use a Filter in your workflow when there are certain reasons why you would want your workflow to stop or continue or to only act on specific items or instances. ## Configure When using the Filter tool, you will need to select the correct [variables](https://docs.getmesa.com/workflow-builder/fields/variables) so that MESA can apply the filtering based on the data returned by the previous steps of your workflow. When available, recommended variables will auto-populate in a dropdown menu, but you can always click to see the full list of variables available. ## Examples of Conditions The Filter tool has nineteen conditions you can use to compare values. | Condition | Description | Example | |--------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Equals | A specified field matches an exact value provided | The number of line items in an order is equal to 2 | | Does not equal | A specified field does not match an exact value provided | The number of line items in an order is not equal to 2 | | Contains | A specified field includes a certain value within its content, regardless of its position | An order's tags contains a "VIP" tag | | Does not contain | A specified field does not include a certain value within its content | An order's tags does not contain a "VIP" tag | | Is empty | A specified field has no data, meaning it is blank or null | An order's tags are empty | | Is not empty | A specified field has data, meaning it is not blank or null | An order's tags are not empty | | Is greater than | A specified field is numerically higher than a given value | A customer's order count is more than 2 | | Is less than | A specified field is numerically lower than a given value | A customer's order count is less than 2 | | Is less than or equal to | A specified field is numerically lower than or exactly equal to a given value | A customer's order count is less than or equal to 2 | | Is greater than or equal to | A specified field is numerically higher than or exactly equal to a given value | A customer's order count is greater than or equal to 2 | | Is in | A specified field matches any one of the values within a defined list or content | US is in a customer's country code address | | Is not in | A specified field does not match any one of the values within a defined list or content | US is not in a customer's country code address | | Starts with | A specified field value starts with a specific, or sequential, numbers or characters | A product's SKU starts with 123 | | Does not start with | A specified field value does not start with a specific, or sequential, numbers or characters | A product's SKU does not start with 123 | | Ends with | A specified field value ends with a specific, or sequential, numbers or characters | A product's SKU ends with XYZ | | Does not end with | A specified field value does not end with a specific, or sequential, numbers or characters | A product's SKU does not end with XYZ | | Is after [date/time] | A specified date/time value falls later than a given date or time | An order was created after 10/24/24 12:00AM | | Is before [date/time] | A specified date/time value is earlier than a given date or time | An order was created before 10/24/24 12:00AM | | Is on [date] | A specified date value matches exactly with a given date | An order was created on 10/24/24 | When using dates or time frames as a condition or rule within the Filter step, you have the ability to use [specific date formats](https://docs.getmesa.com/workflow-builder/fields/liquid-templating#date). Please note that values will be case-sensitive ## Going Further ### Multiple rule sets You can apply additional rules by clicking the **More fields** button, then selecting the Additional Rules checkbox. Define if all rules need to match (`AND`), or if only one of your rules needs to match (`OR`). You can add an unlimited number of rule sets by clicking the Add Rule button to build complex comparison logic. ## Technical Notes ### Advanced rule sets If you use a combination of **AND** or **OR** operators, the logic will read from top to bottom. For example, `a AND b OR c AND d` will be executed as `((a && b) || c) && d`. #### **AND Filter will only** proceed if _both_ conditions are true. - **Example**: Order created is more than $5 **AND** it is the customer's first order. - **Action**: If both conditions are met, the task continues. Otherwise, it stops. **OR Filter will proceed if at least** _**one**_ **of the listed conditions is true** - **Example**: Order created is more than $5 **OR** it is the customer's first order. - **Action**: If one condition is met, the task continues. Otherwise, it stops. For more fine-grained control, separate your **AND** comparisons and **OR** comparisons into separate Filter steps. ### Special values The following values will be automatically cast from strings to their respective types: - `true` - `false` - `null` ### Creating a custom comparison You can further adjust the functionality of a Filter step by opening the step options (three vertical-dot icon) and clicking Edit code.