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Best answer

Filtering to exclude missing data

  • 31 August 2021
  • 4 replies
  • 297 views
M

Hi!

 

I am trying to make a Zap that takes data from Excel and puts it into Airtable, however I only want it to bring across entries on Excel where there is text in a particular column. 

 

I have set it up so that the trigger is a new row in Excel, there is a filter in between so that it only continues if column 17 ‘exists’, and then the action is creating a new record (see screenshot below). 

When I test it at step 2 (the filter) it seems to work - it tells me that the action wouldn’t have gone through when there is no data in column 17. However, when I add the final action of creating a record in Airtable, it still seems to create a Zap and move the data across even when there is no data in column 17 and it technically shouldn’t.

Do you know what I am doing wrong??

 

Thanks!!

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Best answer by christina.d 7 June 2022, 00:38

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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
Userlevel 7
Badge +14

Hi @myob 

That’s because you are manually testing each Zap step, which is needed to properly configure the Zap.

In a live scenario, the Zap would filter out (stop) at Step 2.

Try turning the Zap ON and testing, then check your Zap Runs: https://zapier.com/app/history/

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

Ahhh OK.

Oddly when I do turn the Zap on, the Airtable doesn’t update at all, even as new data is coming in. 

I’m wondering if the problem could be this …. the Excel file (the trigger) has a web query attached to it whereby it is connected to an external data source and updates automatically through an API key. As such, if one new entry comes in, this goes up the top of the Excel file (row B, right under the header) and it pushes old data down the file. 

I just tried adding fake data to the bottom row and that seemed to transfer across to Airtable.

Is there a way to fix this so that the new data up the top is transported across? 

Thanks a bunch!

Troy Tessalone
Userlevel 7
Badge +14

@myob 

Make sure to check out the help articles for using Excel with Zapier: https://zapier.com/apps/excel/help

NOTE: It has to be used in a certain way in order for it to work with Zaps.

Then check your Zap Runs for triggered Zaps: https://zapier.com/app/history/

⚡ Troy Tessalone - AutomationAce.com | Premier Certified Zapier Expert | #1 Zapier Community Contributor
christina.d
Userlevel 7
Badge +9

Hiya! I wanted to drop in and summarize some of the tips here into one reply:
 

Hi @myob 

That’s because you are manually testing each Zap step, which is needed to properly configure the Zap.

In a live scenario, the Zap would filter out (stop) at Step 2.

Try turning the Zap ON and testing, then check your Zap Runs: https://zapier.com/app/history/

 

@myob

Make sure to check out the help articles for using Excel with Zapier: https://zapier.com/apps/excel/help

NOTE: It has to be used in a certain way in order for it to work with Zaps.

Specifically in the help doc these bits may be useful:

I hope this helps! 

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