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Best answer

Possible to add label if it doesn't already exist in Gmail?

Y

Hi there,

There doesn’t seem to be a “search for label” option in the Gmail connector. I want to add a label to a Gmail message, and if it doesn’t exist, create it.

 

I tried to just add the label but there’s no option to “create if it doesn’t exist” so the zap failed. Next I tried creating the label first, then applying it, but it bombs out if the label already exists. I’m processing a bunch of emails that come in with a pre-defined subject, and part of the subject needs to be used as the label.

 

Is there a way to do this, or a way to use the Filter or Path function to catch the zap if it fails and take an alternate course?

 

TIA.

Best answer by SamBBest answer by SamB

Just wanted to follow up here to add that while there isn’t a “Find Label” action for the Gmail integration (only a Create Label action currently), we do have an existing feature request for this capability to be added.

@Yempo Zaps, I’ve added your vote to that feature request to help us keep track of user interest in this. I don’t have an ETA on when it will be added but we’ll be sure to notify you by email once it is!


In the meantime, Troy and Eliot’s suggestions on using a Webhooks by Zapier action to connect to the Gmail API would definitely be a good workaround to try. :)

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SamB
Community Manager
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  • SamBCommunity Manager
  • Community Manager
  • August 12, 2021

Just wanted to follow up here to add that while there isn’t a “Find Label” action for the Gmail integration (only a Create Label action currently), we do have an existing feature request for this capability to be added.

@Yempo Zaps, I’ve added your vote to that feature request to help us keep track of user interest in this. I don’t have an ETA on when it will be added but we’ll be sure to notify you by email once it is!


In the meantime, Troy and Eliot’s suggestions on using a Webhooks by Zapier action to connect to the Gmail API would definitely be a good workaround to try. :)

E
  • eliotBeginner
  • Beginner
  • June 15, 2021

Just a quick addendum to what @Troy Tessalone said.

In order to search the labels, you’ll need to use the user.labels /list command, here:
Method: users.labels.list  |  Gmail API  |  Google Developers

 

If you just want to try it once, the only thing you need to do is type the following in the userId field which should have a left bar that is red on it:

me

I think that the URL I put in above even does that for you, though!

 

Programmatically handling this in Zapier, though, is beyond me, as I find Power Automate a better playground to playing with that kind of data. Still, you’ll have a list that you can check against, and if it’s not there, then use Troy’s command to add the label. :-)

Good luck, @Yempo Zaps !!!

Danvers
1 person likes this
  • Danvers
    Danvers
Troy Tessalone
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@Yempo Zaps 

NOTE: If you’re trying to dynamically map Labels in Zap steps, it will expect the internal Label ID, not the friendly Label Name.

Example:

 

[ADVANCED]

Gmail has an API which can be used to search/create Labels: https://developers.google.com/gmail/api/reference/rest/v1/users.labels/create

App APIs can be used in Zaps with the Webhooks step: https://zapier.com/apps/webhook/integrations#triggers-and-actions

⚡ Troy Tessalone - AutomationAce.com | Premier Certified Zapier Expert | #1 Zapier Community Contributor
Y

Thanks, I looked at that. But the label name needs to be created on the fly by using a segment of the subject line. Gmail doesn’t have the tools to do that. I use Zapier formatting to determine the label name, but can’t apply it due to the problem above.

Troy Tessalone
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Hi @Yempo Zaps 

Try instead using Gmail Rules to filter your emails and apply Labels: https://support.google.com/mail/answer/6579/create-rules-to-filter-your-emails?hl=en

⚡ Troy Tessalone - AutomationAce.com | Premier Certified Zapier Expert | #1 Zapier Community Contributor
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