Export data from Airtable

Question

Not sure if this is possible with Zapier/Airtable, so I’ll just lay out what I’m looking for, would be ideal, and then work from there, since I am either blind or don’t see how I can do it.

We use Airtable to collect data from our customers. We would like to automate the export from Airtable and upload to system via FTP/SFTP. So I guess there are a few parts I am looking for some help to determine feasibility:

1] Is it possible to put all data from a base/view on Airtable into a CSV? That is the file format our system uses for data import.
2] Is it possible to automate an export/data dump from Airtable via Zapier?
3] Is it possible to set files up to be automatically uploaded via FTP to a certain folder so that our system can complete its scheduled import?

If it’s not possible to do all 3 of these, if there are ways to do one or two of them, perhaps I can piece together a solution for the remaining step on my own. That said, ideally I would like it to be done automatically so nobody has to worry about generating exports or uploading to FTP on a daily basis. Thanks for your help!

Troy Tessalone · Accepted Answer

Hi @Toast1] Is it possible to put all data from a base/view on Airtable into a CSV? That is the file format our system uses for data import.You can leverage the Airtable API to pull data: https://support.airtable.com/hc/en-us/articles/203313985-Public-REST-APIApp APIs can be used in Zaps with the Webhooks app: https://zapier.com/apps/webhook/integrationsNOTES:You’ll have to handle pagination with the Airtable API.Depending on how much data you’re trying to pull the Zap step could timeout.The Free plan can run scripts of up to 1 second and 128 MB of RAM.Paid plans can run scripts of up to 10 seconds and 256 MB of RAM. Your Zap will error if it exceeds these limits.2] Is it possible to automate an export/data dump from Airtable via Zapier?In theory yes, but the defined requirements mayYou can schedule Zaps to trigger with the Schedule Zap app: https://zapier.com/apps/schedule/integrationsAitable Article: https://support.airtable.com/hc/en-us/articles/360035101353-Offline-access3] Is it possible to set files up to be automatically uploaded via FTP to a certain folder so that our system can complete its scheduled import?Check out the Files Zap app: https://zapier.com/apps/filesdotcom/integrationsTIP: May be easier to manually export the desired Airtable data as a CSV, then drop into a Folder.Zap StepsTrigger: GDrive - New File in FolderAction: Files - Upload File

Toast · Answer

I’ll give that a try and see what I can make work. My complication is that to be compliant with regulations, instead of putting everything into one base, I have about a dozen separate bases for customers. So I am basically repeating the process 12 times (12 zaps)… I think with what you have I may be able to put something together.

It appears what I am looking at is something similar to:

Trigger - Scheduled Time (9am for example)
Action - Dump data from Airtable base into CSV (Repeat for each base needed)

Then use the second zap you mentioned to upload via FTP

Trigger - New file in Google Drive (Imports folder, for example)
Action - Upload File

I will explore the nuances on my end to make sure this is feasible unless anyone knows the answer. I just need to ensure that I can keep the file name consistent (As the importer on our system performs the import by file name), and that when I create the new file, it will be a CSV (The importer doesn’t play well with other file formats)

Thanks for your help! Time to start tinkering again!

Export data from Airtable

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