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Best answer

Failed to create a transcription in OpenAI (GPT-3, DALL·E, Whisper): The app returned "Invalid file format.

  • May 11, 2023
  • 7 replies
  • 850 views
Tim_wienboeker

Hi, 

I want to create a zap that transcribes slack voice messages to text via OpenAI's Whisper.

I can extract the link to a voice message from the slack message with the fields url_private or url_private_download (both links end with .mp4) but I still receive OpenAI’s feedback: 

Failed to create a transcription in OpenAI (GPT-3, DALL·E, Whisper)
The app returned "Invalid file format. Supported formats: ['m4a', 'mp3', 'webm', 'mp4', 'mpga', 'wav', 'mpeg']".

 

Here is my exact setup: 

  1. Trigger: New Message Posted to Channel in Slack channel

  2. Filter: Only continue if the text contains .mp4

  3. OpenAI: From the slack message, I take the input field url_private (ending with .mp4) and ask to transcribe it

  4. → I receive the above error

 

Anyone else who had this problem and found a solution?

Best answer by Troy Tessalone

@Tim_wienboeker

Actually, try using a “File” data point from the Slack step.

Search for “exists but not shown”.

This is a temp file that is available for you.

NOTE: There may be more than 1 file on a Slack message, in that case you would have to use the Looping app to iterate thru each.

 

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

7 replies

Troy Tessalone
Zapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
Forum|alt.badge.img+14
  • Troy TessaloneZapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
  • Zapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
  • 34079 replies
  • May 11, 2023

Hi @Tim_wienboeker 

Good question.

Please post detailed screenshots with how your Zap steps are configured along with the encountered error in order for us to have full context, thanks.

⚡ Troy Tessalone - AutomationAce.com | Platinum Authorized Zapier Solution Partner | #1 Zapier Community Contributor
Troy Tessalone
Zapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
Forum|alt.badge.img+14
  • Troy TessaloneZapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
  • Zapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
  • 34079 replies
  • May 11, 2023

@Tim_wienboeker 

This is likely why...https://api.slack.com/types/file#auth

 

Authentication

Authentication is required to retrieve file URLs.

The url_private property points to a URL to the file contents. Editable-mode files will also have a url_private_download parameter, which includes headers to force a browser download. Both url_private and url_private_download require an authorization header of the form:

 
Authorization: Bearer A_VALID_TOKEN

In this case, A_VALID_TOKEN is representative of a real OAuth token, bearing at least the files:read scope. Learn more about OAuth Scopes.

Fields providing URLs that require this form of authentication include:

  • url_private
  • url_private_download
  • thumb_64
  • thumb_80
  • thumb_160
  • thumb_360
  • thumb_480
  • thumb_720
  • thumb_960
  • thumb_1024

Please note that the url and url_download parameters have been deprecated. Please use url_private and url_private_download instead.

 

⚡ Troy Tessalone - AutomationAce.com | Platinum Authorized Zapier Solution Partner | #1 Zapier Community Contributor
Troy Tessalone
Zapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
Forum|alt.badge.img+14
  • Troy TessaloneZapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
  • Zapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
  • 34079 replies
  • May 11, 2023

@Tim_wienboeker 

You can try using this Slack action:

 

⚡ Troy Tessalone - AutomationAce.com | Platinum Authorized Zapier Solution Partner | #1 Zapier Community Contributor
Troy Tessalone
Zapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
Forum|alt.badge.img+14
  • Troy TessaloneZapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
  • Zapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
  • 34079 replies
  • Answer
  • May 11, 2023

@Tim_wienboeker

Actually, try using a “File” data point from the Slack step.

Search for “exists but not shown”.

This is a temp file that is available for you.

NOTE: There may be more than 1 file on a Slack message, in that case you would have to use the Looping app to iterate thru each.

 

⚡ Troy Tessalone - AutomationAce.com | Platinum Authorized Zapier Solution Partner | #1 Zapier Community Contributor
Tim_wienboeker
  • Tim_wienboekerBeginner
  • Author
  • Beginner
  • 3 replies
  • May 15, 2023

Thanks a lot @Troy Tessalone - it worked!

C

Hello,

I am running into the same issue as Treo Tessalone but I cannot find the “file” data point that you mention ​@Tim_wienboeker.

I’ve tried with all the data point that link to the .mp4 audio file without success.

If you have any suggestions I’d be very thankful,
Cyrille

Troy Tessalone
Zapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
Forum|alt.badge.img+14
  • Troy TessaloneZapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
  • Zapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
  • 34079 replies
  • May 4, 2025

​@Cybergorille 

Probably best to post your own topic and include screenshots to give more context.

⚡ Troy Tessalone - AutomationAce.com | Platinum Authorized Zapier Solution Partner | #1 Zapier Community Contributor
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