> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.n8n.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.n8n.io/integrations/builtin/core-nodes/n8n-nodes-base.switch.md).

# Switch

Use the Switch node to route a workflow conditionally based on comparison operations. It's similar to the [IF](/integrations/builtin/core-nodes/n8n-nodes-base.if.md) node, but supports multiple output routes.

## Node parameters <a href="#node-parameters" id="node-parameters"></a>

Select the **Mode** the node should use:

* **Rules**: Select this mode to build a matching rule for each output.
* **Expression**: Select this mode to write an expression to return the output index programmatically.

Node configuration depends on the **Mode** you select.

### Rules <a href="#rules" id="rules"></a>

To configure the node with this operation, use these parameters:

* Create **Routing Rules** to define comparison conditions.
  * Use the data type dropdown to select the data type and comparison operation type for your condition. For example, to create a rules for dates after a particular date, select **Date & Time > is after**.
  * The fields and values to enter into the condition change based on the data type and comparison you select. Refer to [Available data type comparisons](#available-data-type-comparisons) for a full list of all comparisons by data type.
* **Rename Output**: Turn this control on to rename the output field to put matching data into. Enter your desired **Output Name**.

Select **Add Routing Rule** to add more rules.

#### Rule options <a href="#rule-options" id="rule-options"></a>

You can further configure the node with this operation using these **Options**:

* **Fallback Output**: Choose how to route the workflow when an item doesn't match any of the rules or conditions.
  * **None**: Ignore the item. This is the default behavior.
  * **Extra Output**: Send items to an extra, separate output.
  * **Output 0**: Send items to the same output as those matching the first rule.
* **Ignore Case**: Set whether to ignore letter case when evaluating conditions (turned on) or enforce letter case (turned off).
* **Less Strict Type Validation**: Set whether you want n8n to attempt to convert value types based on the operator you choose (turned on) or not (turned off).
* **Send data to all matching outputs**: Set whether to send data to all outputs meeting conditions (turned on) or whether to send the data to the first output matching the conditions (turned off).

### Expression <a href="#expression" id="expression"></a>

To configure the node with this operation, use these parameters:

* **Number of Outputs**: Set how many outputs the node should have.
* **Output Index**: Create an expression to calculate which input item should be routed to which output. The expression must return a number.

## Templates and examples <a href="#templates-and-examples" id="templates-and-examples"></a>

[Browse Switch integration templates](https://n8n.io/integrations/switch) or [search all templates](https://n8n.io/workflows/)

## Related resources <a href="#related-resources" id="related-resources"></a>

Refer to [Splitting with conditionals](/build/flow-logic/split-with-conditionals.md) for more information on using conditionals to create complex logic in n8n.

## String <a href="#string" id="string"></a>

String data type supports these comparisons:

* exists
* does not exist
* is empty
* is not empty
* is equal to
* is not equal to
* contains
* does not contain
* starts with
* does not start with
* ends with
* does not end with
* matches regex
* does not match regex

## Number <a href="#number" id="number"></a>

Number data type supports these comparisons:

* exists
* does not exist
* is empty
* is not empty
* is equal to
* is not equal to
* is greater than
* is less than
* is greater than or equal to
* is less than or equal to

## Date & Time <a href="#date-and-time" id="date-and-time"></a>

Date & Time data type supports these comparisons:

* exists
* does not exist
* is empty
* is not empty
* is equal to
* is not equal to
* is after
* is before
* is after or equal to
* is before or equal to

## Boolean <a href="#boolean" id="boolean"></a>

Boolean data type supports these comparisons:

* exists
* does not exist
* is empty
* is not empty
* is true
* is false
* is equal to
* is not equal to

## Array <a href="#array" id="array"></a>

Array data type supports these comparisons:

* exists
* does not exist
* is empty
* is not empty
* contains
* does not contain
* length equal to
* length not equal to
* length greater than
* length less than
* length greater than or equal to
* length less than or equal to

## Object <a href="#object" id="object"></a>

Object data type supports these comparisons:

* exists
* does not exist
* is empty
* is not empty