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Jan 24, 2021 10:06 AM
Hi Everyone,
I have a scenario I want to try and do without too many external services (Zapier/Integromat)
I want an Automated Schedule to run, search for all records that have a Value in the “Prefered Hour” field that matches the hour the Automation is run, and then updates that record.
i.e Schedule runs at 11:00, finds a record that has a value of 11:00 in the “Prefered Hour” filed and updates it.
I have tried to use a Formula filed with Now() to extract the time so I can compare but, with mixed success.
Any ideas?
Jan 24, 2021 10:11 AM
As of a few days ago, you can now schedule automations and your automations can search for records (up to a maximum of 100 records). So I would play with those new options to see if those easily solve your dilemma! :slightly_smiling_face:
Jan 24, 2021 10:23 AM
Hi Scott,
Thanks for the answer. I am using both of those but in order to do what I want, I need to determine the time of the run and compare it against the records “Prefered Hour” field.
The only way I can think of determining the time the Schedule runs is to have a Now() formula in a field that compares. I’m just unsure if the filed with Now() in updates regular and so I’m not sure it’s reliable.
So I’m looking for a better method or clarification on how a field with a now() formula updates, seems irregular.
Cheers
Jan 24, 2021 10:28 AM
If you’re logged into Airtable, NOW() updates every 15 minutes or so.
If you’re not logged into Airtable, it updates every hour or so.
It’s imprecise & approximate.
If you need precise scheduling that takes place at the very second that you automate it to be scheduled, then you would be best served by Integromat, which is a professional automation tool with professional scheduling capabilities.
(Note that I am a professional Airtable consultant and a Registered Integromat Partner, and the Integromat link contains my personal referral code.).
Jan 24, 2021 11:21 AM
Thanks again, Scott.
I am using Integromat to do this at the minute and it works, but it uses a lot of operations. I was hoping the new Airtable Automation Schedule and Search would allow me to use Airtable instead and save some credits.
Jan 24, 2021 03:30 PM
What have been your issues with using NOW
? Since you have a field for {Prefered Hour}, a trigger of “when record meets conditions” should
work, unless you need something more accurate than NOW
.
The way that the search action is currently implemented, it looks like it might not yet be difficult to perform individual updates to the found records (versus a triggering record).
Also keep in mind that you will probably have to deal with timezone issues.
Jan 25, 2021 11:56 AM
Hi @kuovonne,
It is just the irregularity on the now() function. It makes sense to me after Scott’s explanation of how this works depending on being logged in or out.
I think I will stick to the Integromat solution, for now, I was just trying to be more efficient with the usage.
thanks
Jason