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Best answer

Upload Google Slide template action - how to remove placeholders if no data

  • June 20, 2021
  • 3 replies
  • 518 views
B

Hi everybody, 

 

I need help for my Zap : 

  • Trigger : new record in airtable
  • Action : upload a template in google slide

 

I have created {{placeholders}} which are perfectly filled with informations from airtable. The problem is : when an information is not given in Airtable (the trigger), I would like my {{placeholder}} to be deleted from the final google slide. Instead, I got, for example, {{mail}} that remains in the slide. Do you know how could I configure Zapier to delete {{placeholders}} which contains no data.

 

Thanks for your help ! 

 

Franck 

 

 

 

 

Best answer by SamB

Just wanted to jump in here to confirm that using a Formatter (Text > Default Value) step to replace blank values with a [:space:] won’t work. 

Space characters will still cause the field to be recognised as blank/empty and result in the placeholder name appearing. 

An alternative would be to use a Formatter (Text > Default Value) action to replace blank values with a value like Unknown. This would result in the word Unknown being added to the slide. Not ideal, but may be preferable to the placeholder name from appearing.

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

    3 replies

    Troy Tessalone
    Zapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
    Forum|alt.badge.img+14
    • Troy TessaloneZapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
    • Zapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
    • June 20, 2021

    Hi @Bezufranck

     

    Try using a Formatter > Text > Default Value step in the Zap.

    https://zapier.com/help/create/format/set-default-values-for-blank-fields-in-zaps

     

    You could try adding a custom Code step that evaluates if the value from Airtable is null, and if so replace that with a single space, which would be invisible on the GSlides and should remove the {{placeholder}}.

    https://zapier.com/apps/code/help

    ⚡ Troy Tessalone - AutomationAce.com | Platinum Zapier Solution Partner | #1 Zapier Community Contributor
      S
      • Shloo
      • New
      • August 19, 2021

      Hi there!  

      @Bezufranck @Troy Tessalone

       

      I am having the same issue as my blank cells (more than 20) from Google Sheets are still displaying the placeholder in my Google Docs Template.

       

      I originally assumed that formulas that return blank results, should display as empty strings?

       

      I’ve tried formatting the blank cells to replace with [:space:] and it still displays the placeholder.

       

      Would it be best to resort to Javascript?

      SamB
      Community Manager
      Forum|alt.badge.img+11
      • SamBCommunity Manager
      • Community Manager
      • Answer
      • September 22, 2021

      Just wanted to jump in here to confirm that using a Formatter (Text > Default Value) step to replace blank values with a [:space:] won’t work. 

      Space characters will still cause the field to be recognised as blank/empty and result in the placeholder name appearing. 

      An alternative would be to use a Formatter (Text > Default Value) action to replace blank values with a value like Unknown. This would result in the word Unknown being added to the slide. Not ideal, but may be preferable to the placeholder name from appearing.

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