---
title: "Using the Truncate Filter in Liquid Markup"
slug: "using-the-truncate-filter-in-liquid-markup"
status: "new"
updated: 2026-07-21T20:18:20Z
published: 2026-07-21T20:18:20Z
canonical: "knowledge.technolutions.net/using-the-truncate-filter-in-liquid-markup"
stale: true
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://knowledge.technolutions.net/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Using the Truncate Filter in Liquid Markup

Use the `truncate` [Liquid filter](/v1/docs/liquid-markup-filters) when a merge field or export may return more characters than you want to display. The filter shortens the value to a specified character count and can optionally append an ending string.

> [!TIP]
> ⭐ Get Inspired
> 
> This article was adapted from [a post by Technolutions staff](https://community.technolutions.net/get-inspired/post/using-truncate-in-liquid-markup-h5Bw0429EMCD3bx) in the Slate Community Forums' Get Inspired space. Have a great idea for a Get Inspired post? [Let us know](https://community.technolutions.net/get-inspired/new?post_type=gnHx7As1gZ8r6Ld)!

## Shorten a value with the default ellipsis

Add `| truncate:` followed by the maximum number of characters.

```plaintext
{{ academic_major | truncate: 8 }}
```

If `academic_major` returns `journalism`, this outputs:

```plaintext
journ...
```

The ellipsis is included in the character count. In this example, the output contains five characters from the original value plus the three-character ellipsis.

## Shorten a value without an ellipsis

Add a blank string as the second argument when you want the output to stop at the character limit without adding an ellipsis.

```plaintext
{{ academic_major | truncate: 8, "" }}
```

If `academic_major` returns `journalism`, this outputs:

```plaintext
journali
```

## Use a custom ending

Add a custom string as the second argument when the shortened value should end with custom text.

```plaintext
{{ academic_major | truncate: 21, ", and so on" }}
```

If `academic_major` returns `social anthropology`, this outputs:

```plaintext
social ant, and so on
```

> [!WARNING]
> 📝 Note
> 
> The custom ending counts toward the total character limit. If the custom ending is longer than the limit, increase the limit or use a shorter ending.

## Where to use truncate

The `truncate` filter is useful in places where Liquid markup can render dynamic values, including mailings, portals, and other content that supports Liquid markup. If you need to shorten values directly in a query result, consider using a query formula instead.

## Related articles

- [Liquid Markup Filters](https://knowledge.technolutions.net/docs/en/liquid-markup-filters)
- [The For Tag and Liquid Looping](https://knowledge.technolutions.net/docs/en/liquid-markup-looping)