May 27, 2023 02:43 PM
I have an automation that is set to run when a record is updated. The problem is that as the user types in one of the fields being monitored, the automation is called with every character entered or deleted. I want it to run when the user is finished editing - maybe when they hit "Enter" or when they click off the field for the record in question. Is there any way to do this? Seems unusable as is?
May 27, 2023 03:06 PM
This appears to be Airtable's built-in behavior.
If you want the automation to only run when all of the specified fields are updated/contain values, you can use conditional logic in your automation action to only run when certain fields contain specific values or are not empty.
May 27, 2023 03:15 PM
Also, this seems to lead to infinite loops when the action updates the same table that the "when record is updating/updated" automation is watching. Running the action after the record is updated seems safer @airtable
May 27, 2023 03:54 PM
I'm confused. I am running the automation with the trigger "When record updated". This is triggering the automation every time a letter is changed. So, if someone wants to enter a new title for something, it is triggered for every letter strike. I want it to only trigger when the user is finished altering that field. That isn't what "When record is updated" is doing?
May 27, 2023 06:28 PM - edited May 27, 2023 06:28 PM
Unfortunately, this is one of the major flaws of Airtable. The only reliable automation trigger for you would be “when a record matches a condition”, and have the person check a checkbox when they’re done entering the data which would trigger the automation. You can also choose a single-select field instead of a checkbox.
May 28, 2023 10:43 PM
ScottWorld nailed it. After many frustrations you are experiencing, I gave up on it sending emails for new records. It sends as you are typing. I know always use a checkbox or single select field to send the emails. That way, it sends it only after I know it's complete. Another safety check I employ is to have the send email automation update another field such as a "sent" checkbox or a timestamp "date" field. That way, if anyone unchecks the original trigger by accident, it won't send the email a second time.