Book Image

Automate It with Zapier

By : Kelly Goss
Book Image

Automate It with Zapier

By: Kelly Goss

Overview of this book

Zapier is an emerging no-code workflow automation technology that enables organizations to connect their cloud-based and web applications and automate data transfer between them. Zapier's built-in features and flexibility allow users to integrate thousands of business applications and create simple to complex automation to reduce time spent on repetitive tasks, thereby increasing productivity. This book is a must-have for business owners, their employees, and independent freelancers and contractors looking to use Zapier for business process automation. The book takes a hands-on approach to implementation and associated problem-solving methodologies that will have you up-and-running and productive in no time while leveling up your automation skills. You'll discover how to plan your automation building for optimal results, what are the native features available in Zapier, and the applications that connect with it, as well as how to optimally configure your workflows to automate your processes in as few steps as possible. Finally, you'll find out how to create advanced workflow automation from scratch and learn how to troubleshoot issues. By the end of this Zapier book, you'll be able to build your own advanced workflow automation using Zapier, addressing the key pain points encountered in businesses with manual and repetitive tasks.
Table of Contents (29 chapters)
1
Section 1: Getting Started with Zapier
7
Section 2: Customizing Your Zaps with Built-in Apps by Zapier – Functionality and Practical Uses
15
Section 3: Using the Features of the Formatter by Zapier Built-In App
21
Section 4: Getting the Most Out of Zapier – Business Automation Examples

Extracting data from blocks of text

Another brilliant feature of the Formatter by Zapier Text action is the ability to extract data from block of text. This is especially useful if you have large strings of text and you want to return the first expressed value of an email address, number, phone number, or URL.

For example, your webform may not integrate with Zapier, but you receive a confirmation email with the submission details. The form asks the person submitting to add three email addresses, and you only want to extract the first email address entered. Alternatively, you may want to retrieve a phone number, URL, or number from this webform submission. You can use the Formatter by Zapier Text action event with the following transform functions to achieve this:

  • Extract Email Address
  • Extract Number
  • Extract URL
  • Extract Phone Number

To illustrate how to use each of these transform functions, we will use the following trigger data highlighted in the following...