Re: WhatsApp Button for WhatsApp Desktop

Michael_Stout · ‎Aug 20, 2020

I would like to create a button or url so when it is pressed it will go to

{gsm} is the phone number and should open up WhatsApp Desktop.

Any ideas?

Justin_Barrett · ‎Aug 20, 2020

Welcome to the community, @Michael_Stout! :grinning_face_with_big_eyes: This should be possible. Are you saying that {gsm} is your field name containing the number? If so, this formula in a button field should do the trick:

IF(gsm, "https://api.whatsapp.com/send?phone=" & gsm)

That will create the link (activating the button) if there’s a phone number in the {gsm} field, and leave it blank otherwise.

However, be aware that it’s going to be a two-stage process. Airtable always opens URLs in the browser, and can’t be forced to target another application directly. When clicking the button, the URL would open in the browser first, which would then redirect to WhatsApp desktop.

See Solution in Thread

Justin_Barrett · ‎Aug 20, 2020

Welcome to the community, @Michael_Stout! :grinning_face_with_big_eyes: This should be possible. Are you saying that {gsm} is your field name containing the number? If so, this formula in a button field should do the trick:

IF(gsm, "https://api.whatsapp.com/send?phone=" & gsm)

That will create the link (activating the button) if there’s a phone number in the {gsm} field, and leave it blank otherwise.

However, be aware that it’s going to be a two-stage process. Airtable always opens URLs in the browser, and can’t be forced to target another application directly. When clicking the button, the URL would open in the browser first, which would then redirect to WhatsApp desktop.

Michael_Stout · ‎Aug 21, 2020

Well that just works PERFECTLY. Thanks @Justin_Barrett! Grateful and much appreciated.

Justin_Barrett · ‎Aug 21, 2020

Glad to know that you got the answer you were seeking! If you would, please mark my comment (the one above, not this one) as the solution to your question. This helps others who may be searching with similar questions. Thanks!

jgarcia · ‎Jan 27, 2023

Thanks a lot Justin!!!!!

Love it, It works but I had to replace the app for the www address 😉

nir · ‎Nov 19, 2023

Hi @Justin_Barrett this code for me is not working. saying "Unknown field names: gsm" even tho i changed the field name to gsm and pasted your code...

IF( {gsm}, "https://api.whatsapp.com/send?phone=" & {gsm}) - this is the code..
and in addition when i click on it it sends me to whataspp desktop and but when you look in the URL the phone number is not the same as iv put in the field.

Please help, i need it for a client and i'v beeing working on it for hours with no hope left

Justin_Barrett · ‎Nov 20, 2023

Check to see if your field name contains a trailing space after the “m”. The only way to check for this is to edit the field, as the space won’t be visible in the field label.