The Update Record action simplifies data management by automating modifications to existing records within an app. This ensures information remains accurate and up to date without the need for manual intervention.
With this action, records can be updated automatically based on specific triggers, streamlining workflows and improving efficiency. Users can select the relevant app and specify which record needs updating, whether it’s the one that triggered the automation or a different record. This flexibility allows for precise control over how data is maintained, reducing errors and saving time.
To begin, choose a name for your action and select the relevant app. This step is crucial because the Record dropdown will be populated based on the app you select.
Next, in the Record field, choose the specific record that will be updated. This dropdown has two modes:
1. From [Selected App]
In this mode, selecting the Triggering Record option from the dropdown the automation updates the same record that triggers the automation. The record is initially selected through the Start action in the automation builder.
For example, if the automation starts in the Contacts App, it will trigger whenever a record on that app is updated with the specified values. In this case, our Update Record action will modify the same record that initiated the automation.
2. From Record
With this mode, you can choose the specific record to be updated. The dropdown menu will display records from the selected app, ensuring clarity on which record will be modified when the automation runs.
3. Set Fields
In this section, you can choose which fields to update and input the new information. Add as many fields as needed, but only select those relevant to your update.
- Field: This dropdown lists the fields available in the app you selected earlier. Choose the specific field you want to update.
- Update Type: Determines how the update is applied when the automation runs. By default, it uses the Replace method, which updates the field by replacing its existing value with the new one specified.
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Set From: This option remains inactive until you select a field. Once a field is chosen, you can pick one of two update sources:
- Static Value: Select a predefined value from the app's configuration.
- Triggering Record: The value will be determined by the record that initiates the automation, ensuring the update aligns with the triggering record's data.
- Value: Depending on the Set From you have selected, the value dropdown will be populated with different options.
If you want to know more about other actions for the automation builder, check this article.