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Best answer

How to assign unique timestamp to each "STEP" of the Zap

  • July 6, 2021
  • 4 replies
  • 537 views
N

Hello everyone,

I have a multistep zap in which  each step adds a new row to a Google Spreadsheet.

Each row must have a “UNIQUE” TIMESTAMP, which im not being able to work around.

I tried using =now() and {{zap_timestamp}} in the value for the TimeStamp, but every time the next step/row is created, the previous row TimeStamp is overiden by the TimeStamp of the present row.

Any ideas on how to avoid this?

Basically what Im looking for is a TimeStamp for each Step, not for the Zap.

I tried also delaying the steps but that dint work either.

Im trying to avoid having several zaps for the same task.

 

Thanks for reading!

 

Best answer by Troy Tessalone

Hi @Nicotlan 

Check out this article: https://zapier.com/help/create/customize/insert-the-time-your-zap-runs-into-a-field

{{zap_meta_human_now}} will populate the the timestamp at the time the Zap step runs.

{{zap_meta_utc_iso}}

This timestamp will print the date and time in a format that apps (and APIs) can easily read. This command will always output an ISO-8601 timestamp in UTC time (for example, 2021-01-15T18:07:48+00:00).

{{zap_meta_timestamp}}

This timestamp displays UNIX time. Some APIs might require a timestamp in this format instead.

 

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

4 replies

Troy Tessalone
Zapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
Forum|alt.badge.img+14
  • Troy TessaloneZapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
  • Zapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
  • Answer
  • July 6, 2021

Hi @Nicotlan 

Check out this article: https://zapier.com/help/create/customize/insert-the-time-your-zap-runs-into-a-field

{{zap_meta_human_now}} will populate the the timestamp at the time the Zap step runs.

{{zap_meta_utc_iso}}

This timestamp will print the date and time in a format that apps (and APIs) can easily read. This command will always output an ISO-8601 timestamp in UTC time (for example, 2021-01-15T18:07:48+00:00).

{{zap_meta_timestamp}}

This timestamp displays UNIX time. Some APIs might require a timestamp in this format instead.

 

⚡ Troy Tessalone - AutomationAce.com | Platinum Zapier Solution Partner | #1 Zapier Community Contributor
N
  • NicotlanBeginner
  • Author
  • Beginner
  • July 6, 2021

Hi @Troy Tessalone , Thank you for your answer.

I have checked that article before and its not what Im looking for.

 

Im NOT trying to set a time stamp for the zap.

I am trying to set a timestamp for when the row is created.

i.e. in a multistep zap where each step creates a new row. Each row should have its own UNIQUE timestamp, but what its happening is that each new row TimeStamps, overrides the Time Stamp of the previous rows added. So i end up with a bunch of duplicate time stamps.

 

Troy Tessalone
Zapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
Forum|alt.badge.img+14
  • Troy TessaloneZapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
  • Zapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
  • July 6, 2021

@Nicotlan

You can use the timestamps variables in the abovearticle to create a timestamp in a GSheet cell for a row, w/o using GSheet formulas.

Perhaps you can post screenshots of how your Zap steps are configured.

Also, may be helpful to outline a specific example where you are having issues.

⚡ Troy Tessalone - AutomationAce.com | Platinum Zapier Solution Partner | #1 Zapier Community Contributor
N
  • NicotlanBeginner
  • Author
  • Beginner
  • July 6, 2021

Thank you @Troy Tessalone , actually i was missing in one of my steps I had =now() instead of {{zap_meta_utc_iso}}

 

I changed that, added a one minute delay between steps, and that seemed to work, 

 

THanks!!

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