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Best answer

Extract Pattern from email text

  • March 31, 2023
  • 5 replies
  • 320 views
BSq Law

Hi, 

I’m trying to use Formatter to extract a couple elements of data from emails and having trouble coding the Python expression to match the specific string I’m after. 

From other guides in this community, the suggestion is to first of all strip out the HTML of the email. However, when I do so, I end up with the following:

From: John Smith Message Body:Firstname: JohnLastname: SmithPhone: 0780000000Email: johnsmith@hotmailtest.co.ukJobTitle: CEOYearsOfService: Over two yearsSalary: £100,000 +Settled: NoMessage: Please call me on 0780000000

The <br> is stripped and as such, elements such as JobTitle and YearsOfService is merged. 

I am able to extract the email address directly from the HTML version of the email with existing Transform options. 

Can someone help with the what code to use in the Pattern field so that I can strip out the YearsofService, Salary, Settled components please?


<html><head> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body>From: John Smith Message Body:<br>Firstname: John<br>Lastname: Smith<br>Phone: 0780000000<br>Email: johnsmith@hotmailtest.co.uk<br>JobTitle: CEO<br>YearsOfService: Over two years<br>Salary: £100,000 +<br>Settled: No<br>Message: Please call me on 0780000000 <br>

This is the code I’ve tried. 

(?<=Salary:)(.*?)(?=\n)

Thanks!

Best answer by Todd Harper

You would actually do this in a Code by Zapier step with “Run Javascript” as the event, not in a Formatter action. (Side Bonus: you extract each of these bits all in one action rather than using a Formatter step for each)

 

 

This post has been closed for comments. Please create a new post if you need help or have a question about this topic.

5 replies

Todd Harper
Forum|alt.badge.img+8
  • Todd HarperZapier Solution Partner
  • Zapier Solution Partner
  • March 31, 2023

I don’t know Python, but here’s how I would do it with JavaScript:

const htmlString = inputData.YOUR_STRING;

let newString = htmlString.replace(/<br>/g, " ").replace(/(<([^>]+)>)/ig, "");

const outputObject = {
  yearsOfService: newString.split("YearsOfService: ")[1].split("Salary")[0].trim(),
  salary: newString.split("Salary: ")[1].split("Settled")[0].trim(),
  settled: newString.split("Settled: ")[1].split("Message")[0].trim()
};

output = [{outputObject}];

 

BSq Law
BSq Law
  • BSq LawBeginner
  • Author
  • Beginner
  • March 31, 2023

I don’t know Python, but here’s how I would do it with JavaScript:

const htmlString = inputData.YOUR_STRING // `<html><head> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body>From: John Smith Message Body:<br>Firstname: John<br>Lastname: Smith<br>Phone: 0780000000<br>Email: johnsmith@hotmailtest.co.uk<br>JobTitle: CEO<br>YearsOfService: Over two years<br>Salary: £100,000 +<br>Settled: No<br>Message: Please call me on 0780000000 <br>`;

let newString = htmlString.replace(/<br>/g, " ").replace(/(<([^>]+)>)/ig, "");

const outputObject = {
  yearsOfService: newString.split("YearsOfService: ")[1].split("Salary")[0].trim(),
  salary: newString.split("Salary: ")[1].split("Settled")[0].trim(),
  settled: newString.split("Settled: ")[1].split("Message")[0].trim()
};

output = [{outputObject}];

 

Where would you apply JS in Formatter? It only gives me the following options:

 

 

Todd Harper
Forum|alt.badge.img+8
  • Todd HarperZapier Solution Partner
  • Zapier Solution Partner
  • Answer
  • March 31, 2023

You would actually do this in a Code by Zapier step with “Run Javascript” as the event, not in a Formatter action. (Side Bonus: you extract each of these bits all in one action rather than using a Formatter step for each)

 

 

Todd Harper
Forum|alt.badge.img+8
  • Todd HarperZapier Solution Partner
  • Zapier Solution Partner
  • March 31, 2023

Also, for clarification, you do not need to type out the HTML in the right side Input Data box. You can just put the same Outlook body you placed in the “Input” field from your previous screenshot.

BSq Law
BSq Law
  • BSq LawBeginner
  • Author
  • Beginner
  • March 31, 2023

 

 

Worked perfectly! Thank you!

Todd Harper
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