This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Elina Ozolina
Automation saves me time and keeps my business running smoothly. Make (which used to be Integromat) is my favorite tool for this. But I learned quickly that even the best automations can break. Sometimes it is a small data issue. Other times, an API request overloads the system. When this happens, my workflows stop, data may be lost, and customers could get upset. The key to avoiding chaos is strong error handling. With the right setup, my Make scenarios can recover and keep going.
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Here I will share what I have learned about error handling. I will explain why it is important, the types of errors you might see, how Make’s error handlers work, and some of my favorite advanced tips for notifications and handling tough errors. This way, automation works for me, not the other way around.
Understanding Errors in Make Scenarios
What Are Make Errors?
From what I have seen, a Make error happens when a module finds something unexpected. Maybe the API changed its response, data comes through in the wrong format, a request times out, or a “500 Server Error” appears. When this happens, the scenario stops and I need to check the logs to find out what broke.
Internal vs. External Errors
Internal errors happen inside Make. These are problems with data parsing, variables, or using built-in routers. They are usually easier to fix because Make shows clear error messages.
External errors occur when Make connects to other services. These are things like APIs, databases, or other tools. Every service has its own way of showing errors. Sometimes an API says an action worked, but the response actually hides an error. For example, if I try to get data from a CRM and the API sends a 404 or a 429 error, Make will stop unless I planned for it.
Example
If my scenario pulls customer data from a CRM to log in Google Sheets, and the CRM API gives a 429 error, Make stops everything. I have learned to always be ready for these surprises.
The Importance of Error Handling in Automation
I once lost important client data because I did not set up error handling. If there is a glitch, such as an API error or bad data, it can:
- Turn off important automations
- Force me to fix things by hand
- Leave data messy or inconsistent
- Sometimes even cause lost sales or missed chances
When I started using error handling, things improved:
- My automations kept working, even when problems came up
- Good data kept moving forward without everything stopping
- I got alerts right away if something failed
- Make could retry failed operations and often fix itself
I also back up my Make scenarios every day with Bitmule. This means if something goes wrong, such as deleting a scenario by mistake, I have a copy ready to restore and keep my work safe.
Make’s Error Handlers: My Toolkit for Reliable Automation
Make has several built-in tools for handling errors. Each one is good for a different situation. I use these to keep my automations running well.
1. Break: Pause and Retry Later
The Break handler is very helpful with unreliable APIs. When a module fails, Break catches that data item and sets it aside to try again later. The rest of the items keep processing.
- Healthy data keeps moving
- I can retry failed items when the problem is fixed
- Remember to turn on incomplete executions in the scenario settings. If this is off, retries will not work
When I use it: For errors that should go away soon, like short-term outages or rate limits.
Example:
I push many records into Google Sheets. If one fails because of a Google API issue, Break keeps it for later. I can retry that item, and the rest of the data goes through.
2. Commit: Stop, But Save Progress
Commit saves everything that worked up to the error, then stops the scenario. This is good when you cannot undo saved data.
- Progress before the error is not lost
- No more changes happen after the error
When I use it: When it is okay for only part of the process to finish, like logging some records or sending some emails.
Example:
If I am syncing data to a database and it fails on record 150 of 300, Commit keeps the first 149 records. I know what has been saved and can continue from there.
3. Ignore: Skip and Move On
Ignore logs the error and skips the bad data. The scenario continues and the run is marked as successful. The failed data is not saved.
- One bad item does not break everything
- Good for non-critical or junk data
When I use it:
If it is fine to lose a data item, like when handling a lot of webhooks and some are not needed.
Example:
Some client contact form messages are spam or have bad formatting. With Ignore, valid messages go through and the bad ones are skipped. I can check the error log if I want.
4. Resume: Substitute and Continue
Resume lets you use fallback data if a module fails, then keeps going.
- Manual or dynamic fallback data keeps things moving
- The scenario acts like everything worked, even if it did not
When I use it:
When I need the rest of the process to run, but I can use a default value if there is a problem.
Example:
In a Dropbox scenario, files upload to custom folders. Sometimes folder creation fails if the folder already exists. With Resume, if this happens, I fetch the existing folder and finish the upload. No files are lost, and users do not notice.
5. Rollback: Undo Everything and Stop
Rollback undoes all changes and stops the scenario if anything fails, as long as the connected app allows it.
- No partial updates go through
- Best for things that must stay in sync
When I use it:
If partial changes can cause problems or mess up reports.
Example:
If I am updating linked records in a database, one missed update can ruin everything. I use Rollback so if any update fails, none of them go through.
Advanced Strategies: Nesting and Custom Error Handlers
Not all errors are the same. Sometimes I need to handle them in different ways. This makes my automations much stronger.
Conditional Error Handling Paths
In Make, I can route errors based on type or message. For example, if Dropbox folder creation fails with a “409 path conflict” message, I can find the matching folder and keep going with Resume. If it is a bigger issue, like missing key data, I send an alert.
How I do it:
- I add a router in the error route
- I set up conditions to check for error details, like if the message says “path conflict”
- I send each error to the right handler such as Resume, alert, or Break
Practical Example:
Email Attachment Workflow:
If a scenario watches emails and uploads attachments to folders, folder creation may fail if the folder is already there. If there is a conflict error, I use Resume to get the existing folder and finish the upload. For other errors, like missing folders, I send myself a Slack or email alert to fix it fast.
Using External Apps in Error Handlers
Many people do not know you can use any app in error handlers, not just Make’s own tools. This lets you:
- Email or Slack yourself details when something breaks
- Send a webhook to another alert system
- Log errors into Google Sheets to track problems over time
Tip:
Error handler routes show as outlined lines in Make. This makes it easier to see which path is an error handler when I am checking my setup.
Practical Tips for Error-Proof Automation
- Plan for things to go wrong. Any external API can fail, no matter what.
- Turn on incomplete executions if you use Break. This helps you track and retry failed items.
- Focus on the modules that matter most. Fixing errors in low-risk modules is less important.
- Use notification handlers. Set up an email or Slack alert for errors so you know right away.
- Write down your logic. Clear names and notes help you and your team later.
- Test with things you know will break. Try bad data or disconnect a service to see how your setup reacts.
- Nest handlers for complex processes. For big workflows, use routers to direct errors for special handling.
- Back up your scenarios often. Error handling cannot help if a scenario is deleted or overwritten. Use an automated backup service to keep your Make workflows safe.
Troubleshooting Common Make Automation Failures
- If scenarios keep stopping, I use Break or Ignore for the modules that break the most. This keeps important workflows running.
- If I cannot find the error, I log details to Google Sheets or by email. This helps me find patterns that do not show in the main logs.
- If partial data is a problem, I use Rollback instead of Commit or Ignore to make sure everything stays correct.
- If performance drops, I avoid too many retries and set limits. This keeps things from slowing down.
Conclusion: Let Error Handling Work for You
From my experience, Make works best when automations do not stop at the first sign of trouble. With Break, Commit, Ignore, Resume, and Rollback, plus smart notifications and custom error paths, I turned weak automations into strong business tools.
But fixing errors is not enough. True peace of mind comes from knowing you can recover your Make scenarios if something goes wrong. Using a daily backup service like Bitmule gives me confidence that my scenarios are always protected and easy to restore if needed.
If you want stable Make automations, start by checking your important workflows for weak spots. Add the right error handlers and make sure you have regular scenario backups. Your business will run better, and you will not have to worry when problems come up.
This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Elina Ozolina