Articles on: Blocks

🟦 Airtable

Example: https://creator.celestory.io/project/X2hu1xLcU

Airtable base link: https://airtable.com/universe/expv5ePD2Qfw7lIlK/nocode-serious-game-data-base

🟦 Airtable block



This block allows you to exchange with your database of your Airtable account (collaborative online spreadsheet).



1) To start using the Airtable block, you must Enable integrations

(Main Menu/Integrations). You must enter your API Airtable key which allows you to

this connection to one of your databases (i.e. your spreadsheets).



2) Copy the API key located by clicking on your profile picture, then "Account". In

On the "Account overview" page, the API section displays a pink area. Double-click on it and copy the key. Back in the Celestory integrations menu, paste it.





3) You can now create Airtable blocks. This is an evolving block. Start by selecting your database, then your table (this is your sheet).

From then on, 4 operations are proposed to you:

Create, Retrieve, Update, Delete

âž• Airtable operations



As a reminder, each line of your database is unique and begins with a unique identifier in text form.

The operations of the Airtable block have a direct influence on the lines (also called "record") of your base.

- Create:



to create a unique line, as well as generate a line ID, which is an identifier

secret allowing to select only one line for another operation.



Please connect the line ID output point of the Airtable block to the value of a variable (via an Assignment block) or to the input point of another Airtable block.



On the left side of the block there are as many entry points as there are columns on your base, whose titles synchronize with the names of these points.

In addition, you can save on this line all the values of your variables and output points (e.g. from the Text Input block) by connecting them to the input points of the Airtable block.

- Retrieve:



to search one or more data from your entire database.

By connecting to the entry point of a line ID the desired value (stored in a text variable or in direct connection with an exit point line ID of an Airtable "Create" block, you allow the block to search for the data of a single line.



The block will then synchronize its output points with the values of each field in the Airtable column, allowing you to assign them to variables, for example, to remember them in other modules and graphs, or in menus.

- Update:



to change the values of the fields, columns, of your Airtable database.



To connect the line ID whose data you want to change to the entry point.

So for example, if the user gives this line ID, he will only be able to update certain information about him that you allow him to modify.

- Delete:



to delete a line in the database.

Requires the line ID to be connected as an entry point.

🔠 Airtable Vocabulary



Here is the Airtable vocabulary:

Workspaces are collaborative areas where your databases (spreadsheets) are stored,

which are made up of tables (the sheets),



divided into "**records**" (line with unique identifier in 1st column)

and in "**fields**" (columns with value properties, such as a simple text, a date or an attachment).



In the fields, the "**Link to another table**" type allows to link 2 tables together.

This makes it possible to activate:

Lookups that can fetch information from another field of another table.

Rollups are Lookups conditioned to a formula



There are many Airtable formulas, you will find them here:

https://support.airtable.com/hc/en-us/articles/203255215-Formula-field-reference

Airtable formulas can be used in Celestory to condition the operation Recover from Airtable block.

👀 Airtable embeded views



The other interest of Airtable is to allow to share a table or a special view of a table.

For each table, there is a Grid view (the view of a spreadsheet) by default. At the bottom left of your database you can create other views to display your data in forms:

Gallery: of maps

Kanban: post-it (Trello type)

Calendar: calendar according to dates



The special Form view allows you to create a form allowing you to

someone outside your database administration (publicly or protected by a domain name or password) to Create a record (one line).

Thus, once the special view created, you can click on Share view,

then on "**Embed this view on your website**".



A new tab opens where you can view the integration of your database on a desktop or mobile view. For example, you can simplify the view as the mobile view for the desktop view, and let some controls appear or not.



Copy only the url inside it, then place it in the element Web page of your Celestory menu.

In this sample project, go to Main Menu/Menu/List of players, you will see this element filled in.



In addition, if you want to customize some of these embedded views, some extensions such as miniExtensions allow you to do so.

💢 Error management



Errors may occur if, for example, you try to enter a boolean value in an Airtable number field.

In the Airtable block, there is an output that redirects the stream in case of an error, so that it doesn't stop.



For example, you can tell the user that there has been a problem.

There is also an outgoing dot that will indicate the error given by Airtable, which can give you more precise information about its nature.

🧩 Airtable "apps"



Airtable apps are extensions that you can add to your base on the right side of the base. They allow you for example to create real time statistical representations of your data, to create a map from your data...



You can subscribe to the app sharing beta to take advantage of the apps

in an embed version, in order to integrate them into your Celestory app.

More information here:

https://support.airtable.com/hc/en-us/articles/360057070593-Embed-and-share-individual-apps-beta-

After enabling app sharing, click Embed this app on your website,

then a new tab opens with the iframe link.

Copy only the url inside this one, then place it in the Web Page item of your Celestory menu.



In this example project, go to Main Menu/Menu/Statistics, you will

will see this element filled in.

🤖 Airtable automations



To the right of each base is the option to create automations.

Like the Zapier and Integromat integrations also present in Celestory, the automations can allow you to automate many processes with the condition of a data change.



So you can use Celestory and create buttons for automatically:

- Send a personalized email

- Send an essage on Slack or Microsoft Teams

- Adding answers to a form

- Schedule an event with Google Calendar or Outlook

- Publish a Facebook post...

The possibilities are endless!

More information on:

https://support.airtable.com/hc/en-us/articles/360050974153-Automations-Overview

Updated on: 29/03/2021

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