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Zapier flow error: No value sent in Google Sheet lookup, breaking the flow


I have a flow which requires I do a lookup to a Google Sheet. I pass a person’s name, in order to return a system user ID, so when I map to my destination it can find the record.

Here is the issue. I have about 25 lookups.  I built a Zap with all of them in a single flow, but they won’t always have a value to send to the lookup. It errors when a value isn’t sent, which is breaking the flow.

I cannot use Paths to split the logic, because i would have 25 branches since you cannot bring back together a path once split.  I cannot use a Filter, because that will stop the entire flow.  I started to build out a Sub-Zap, but don’t think that will work either.

Any suggestions on how best to construct this?

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3 replies

Troy Tessalone
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Hi ​@deejmer 

If you use Airtable, you can search to Find Record using a Search Formula.

Airtable formula reference: https://support.airtable.com/docs/formula-field-reference

 


  • Author
  • Beginner
  • 1 reply
  • January 16, 2025
Troy Tessalone wrote:

Hi ​@deejmer 

If you use Airtable, you can search to Find Record using a Search Formula.

Airtable formula reference: https://support.airtable.com/docs/formula-field-reference

 

I'm doing a lookup now to Google Sheets and it returns a value (when one is passed).  Are you saying that by using AirTable, i'm relying on their logic to determine if a number of field values are present or not, and if so, translate them and return it?

 

How will Zapier know to consume and send only the provided values through the mapping?

 

Pardon my ignorance, i’m still learning the platform.


SamB
Community Manager
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  • Community Manager
  • 7409 replies
  • January 20, 2025

Hi there, ​@deejmer! 👋

Perhaps you could add an error handler to allow the Zap to still carry out the necessary actions if the name is missing? You can find out more about error handlers here: Set up custom error handling

Alternatively, you could use Formatter’s (Text) Default Value action to pass a fallback value that will ensure it finds a specific row in the spreadsheet. Then have a path check whether that specific row’s details were found and if so, carry out the necessary actions that need to still be performed when no name is present. If you’ve not used that sort of Formatter action before check out our Find and replace values in your Zaps guide to learn more.

Do you think either of those approaches could work for your needs here?